The EU includes Turkey in its defence, overlooking its occupation and divisive claims in Cyprus
The approval of the SAFE Regulation has institutionally and officially opened the door of the EU’s defence to Turkey. This is in addition to the extensive arms trade that a number of European states have been conducting with Türkiye for years, which is expected to multiply due to fiscal easing in military spending. It also comes on top of the acquisitions and joint ventures that Türkiye has rapidly concluded with European military industries in recent times, through which it will enter European defence programs through the back door. It is confirmed that the EU and its leading core are determined to include their NATO ally, Türkiye, and its military industries in their military plans, ignoring the fact that it is an occupying power in Cyprus and other states, as well as a destabilising factor in the Eastern Mediterranean.
These facts should be cause for concern and reflection on the part of the government and the political leadership as a whole.
-What did the Christodoulides government, which agreed to the development, demand and obtain? How was the “linking of Euro-Turkish relations with the Cyprus problem” ultimately achieved, given that this pivotal development took place without Türkiye having taken the slightest step either on the Cyprus problem or on its obligations to Cyprus?
-How will the manoeuvres of other European governments to circumvent the requirement of unanimity in concluding security agreements with third countries be addressed, given that the text of the Regulations—obviously not by chance—does not include a clear provision to this effect?
– The reference to the fact that supplies with third countries that are contrary to the security and defence interests of member-states will not be permitted is positive but entirely theoretical. Has Cyprus received any commitment from the EU or, for example, Italy and Germany that the purchase of military equipment from Türkiye will not be permitted, given that the occupying power clearly threatens the sovereignty and security of Cyprus? Unfortunately, their actions are contrary to this.
AKEL stresses that it is absurd for the peoples of Europe to pay Türkiye to supposedly help with European defence, when Türkiye is illegally occupying the territory of a member-state and remains unyielding in its divisive positions on the Cyprus problem.
29.05.2025
