Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday restated Ankara’s ambition to take part in the European Union’s new €150-billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) scheme, arguing Turkey is a critical security partner for the bloc.
Speaking after talks with his Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen in Helsinki, Fidan said Turkey, as a NATO ally, “provides critical contribution to Europe’s security,” and should therefore be included in EU defence and security initiatives, “including the SAFE mechanism.”
Although Turkey is formally eligible to join the scheme, participation requires unanimous approval from the EU’s 27 member states — a hurdle as Greece has threatened to block Ankara’s access.
Valtonen signalled support for Turkish involvement on “equal terms in defence industry cooperation, which we strongly need at this moment.”
A Turkish defence ministry source said Ankara hopes Germany will help push its case despite Greek opposition.
