Commitment by the budget commissioner Serafin Piotrthat the European Union will not fund Turkey with defense programs has been requested by ND MEP George Autias. “I want an answer now,” was the phrase of the MEP, which reiterated that Europe is obliged not to arm Turkey’s hand with money from European taxpayers.
“It is unethical, it is absurd and out of logic to finance Turkey to enter through programs in the defense,” the Greek MEP stressed.
THE George He said to the budget Commissioner:
C. Ears: I get into the defense. You have a sacred obligation not to give European taxpayers’ money in order to arm the hand of third countries threatening European countries. And I’m referring to Turkey. It is unethical, it is absurd and out of logic to finance Turkey to enter through the defense programs, when it threatens Greece, it is asking for half the Aegean, holding the northern part of Cyprus and on the other hand you say Europeans feel safe. I am waiting for an answer today, Mr Commissioner, not tomorrow and tomorrow. The Greek people are asking for it. Thank you very much. (…) I asked you about the defense, but you didn’t answer Mr Commissioner. Will you put Turkey out of the back door on defense funding? I want to answer. The issue is very serious.
Commissioner: I don’t know if we open a back door to this package. I will check it out, but I also know that this issue is treated in tools that already apply. It does not change any policy about it. You know it very well and your compatriots also know it very well, because we have recently approved Safe and in Safe I think the concern and concern of Greece and Cyprus have been fully taken into account and I do not believe. I don’t know where this question, because I don’t know if European policy has changed.
