7 hours agoGreece may block Turkey access to EU defence scheme
Periskopi(a year ago)
(a year ago)Greece has warned Turkey that it can block access to a European Union fund in the field of defence, unless Ankara offers guarantees that weapons will not be used to target Athens. Greece, a member of the European Union and neighbouring Turkey, have strained relations over decades over [the] rights.
Greece, a member of the European Union and neighbouring Turkey, has strained relations over decades regarding the rights of sovereignty in the Aegean Sea, and recently also due to energy issues and migration.
Turkey, a NATO member but not even of the European bloc, enjoys the possibility of having access to EU programmes for the defence industry and common procurement programmes, under the EU Security Action Initiative, worth 150 billion euros.
However, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has said his state will not allow Turkey to participate in the defence scheme, if it continues to threaten Greece with war and questions the sovereignty of the Aegean Sea, Radio Free Europe, broadcasts Periscope.
Greece will not allow this”, the conservative leader for Skai television has said.
Turkey often threatens with war, in the event Greece unilaterally expands operations in Aegean waters.
Mitsotakis has mentioned that it will need the compatibility of the 27 EU member states before Turkey has access to bloc funds.
“required unanimous”, he stated.
His comments have come hours after Germany has said it has approved sending Euroflyers to Turkey.
Turkey has been in talks for years on the purchase of 40 such planes, which are produced through a co-operation between Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain. /Periscope/
