The new EU-Turkey rapprochement, which paves the way for Ankara’s participation in European defense programs, has set off alarm bells in Nicosia, as revealed in an internal document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published today by “Kathimerini.”
These developments are highlighted in the European Commission’s report on Turkey, dated November 4, which praises the Turkish defense industries.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“The EU must avoid creating new strategic dependencies, especially with a regional actor associated with revisionism, expansionist policies, and constant violations of the sovereignty and sovereign rights of its member states. Such a development would inevitably strengthen a source of instability, whose influence will become increasingly difficult to contain.”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Contrary to the government’s narrative—which claims to have ruled out Turkey’s participation in SAFE— the vast majority of EU partners see Turkey as replacing the U.S. under the European defense and security umbrella.
It was Italy, under Giorgia Meloni, that opened the door for Turkish defense companies to join SAFE, while Paris’s recent overtures toward Ankara must also be taken into account, as the Erdogan government is keenly interested in co-producing the SAMP/T air defense systems.
Alliance with Paris
In light of the constantly changing security environment and increased geopolitical challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus’s military capabilities are being strengthened, said Vasilis Palmas, who was speaking during the celebrations honoring the patron saint of the Air Force, Archangel Michael, at the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos.
“Strengthening the Republic of Cyprus’s defense capabilities not only serves national needs but can also contribute more broadly to the security and stability of the Eastern Mediterranean, by strengthening defense cooperation and interoperability with Cyprus’s partners in the region.”
Vasilis Palmas – Minister of Defense
During his recent visit to Paris, Vasilis Palmas and his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin, updated the bilateral SOFA agreement and agreed on the next steps for cooperation between the two countries on training, exercises, and mutual briefings on geopolitical issues. At the same time, they discussed defense procurement programs within the framework of bilateral defense cooperation between Cyprus and France.
“The signing of the SOFA agreement between the two countries demonstrates that relations, both at the political and military levels, are at a particularly high level.”
Vasilis Palmas
Furthermore, during the Minister of Defense’s visit to Paris and the Euronaval exhibition, Cyprus, France, and Sweden signed an agreement for the joint procurement of Akeron MP anti-tank missiles, funded by SAFE.
Uncharted Waters
On the GSI front, Athens and Nicosia are in constant communication and coordination. Joint operational planning and a joint response to Turkey’s claims have been put into effect, as the Cypriot NAVTEX will take effect on November 19 and the research vessel Abeille Marengo will enter the Cypriot EEZ.
Meanwhile, the 2nd Trilateral Meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of Cyprus, Egypt, and Greece, who will be received by the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides. These developments are taking place at a time when the rapprochement between Ankara and Cairo is unfolding alongside Turkish efforts to reshape the maritime balance of power. A case in point is the joint naval exercise between Turkey and Egypt currently taking place in the waters off Alexandria.
Report by Christoforos Nestoros
