Turkey Tensions Rise as Greece Maintains Veto on SAFE Program Over Casus Belli
EU leaders met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, linking progress on the Cyprus issue to advancements in EU-Turkey relations, while NATO held its annual summit in the city with announcements of defense deals and military support agreements amid rising Turkey tensions.
EU-Turkey Talks Link Cyprus Progress to Bilateral Relations
The Greek Cypriot side is ready for tangible steps forward in EU-Turkey relations if substantial progress occurs on the Cyprus issue, including resumption of substantive negotiations via an informal multilateral meeting. [1] Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis stated that the Greek Cypriot side is “ready” for there to be “tangible steps” forward in relations between the European Union and Turkey should negotiations recommence in earnest following the next enlarged meeting on the Cyprus problem. [1] He emphasized that if substantial progress on the Cyprus issue leads to the convening of an informal multilateral meeting with an emphasis on the substance, which will lead to the resumption of substantive negotiations with the ultimate goal being the definitive resolution of the Cyprus issue, then yes, the side is ready. [1] Letymbiotis clarified that the convening of a multilateral meeting is not an end in itself simply for the sake of convening a multilateral meeting. [1] He noted that Turkey’s Cyprus-related obligations are European obligations, and in order for there to be progress on these issues which Turkey raises, Turkey’s constructive will and its decisive will for progress on the Cyprus issue must be demonstrated. [1] This position has been ratified and supported by the 27 member states and the institutions of the European Union from the very beginning. [1]
Costa and von der Leyen Meet Erdogan in Ankara
European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held talks with Erdogan and emphasized that Turkey's desired EU progress is tied to its obligations on Cyprus. [1] President Nikos Christodoulides held telephone calls with both Costa and von der Leyen after they had met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday night. [1] The position which has been clearly communicated by the European Commission and by the European Council is that the issues which concern and interest Turkey, and which Turkey wishes to see progress in its relations with the European Union, are directly related to progress on the Cyprus issue. [1] Costa and von der Leyen have made clear the support and the willingness, the intention of the European Union to assist in efforts being undertaken by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. [1] This support appears in the joint statement they issued, along with recognition from Guterres and his personal envoy Maria Angela Holguin for the importance they attach to the role which the European Union can play. [1] The message has become clear with absolute clarity from the European Council conclusions and the joint letter. [1]
Greece Upholds Veto Over Turkey's Casus Belli
Greece maintains its veto on Turkey’s inclusion in the EU’s SAFE program until Ankara withdraws its 1995 casus belli declaration threatening war over potential Greek territorial waters expansion. [3] Diplomatic sources said Greece will continue to veto Turkey’s participation in the EU’s SAFE program unless Ankara withdraws its casus belli declaration. [3] The Greek position is absolutely clear that the existence of the casus belli constitutes a formal threat of war and is not diminished by time or by public opinion becoming familiar with it, but is diminished only by its definitive withdrawal. [3] Greece will continue to raise the issue with all its partners. [3] The diplomatic source responded to Turkey’s Defense Ministry which dismissed earlier the importance of the casus belli, stating that Turkey does not pose a threat to any country that does not threaten it. [3] The casus belli was declared by Turkey’s parliament in 1995 in response to a potential Greek expansion of its territorial waters. [3] This stance contributes to ongoing Turkey tensions in the region.
NATO Summit in Ankara Agrees on Key Declaration
At the NATO summit in Ankara, leaders agreed on a declaration reaffirming Article 5 and support for Ukraine, with France committing to a Finnish-Swedish combat force in northern Sweden. [2] The Nato summit in Ankara is now over, with leaders agreeing on a six-point declaration that among other things reaffirms Article 5 of the Nato treaty and the alliance's support for Ukraine. [2] It was also decided that France will contribute to a Finnish-Swedish combat force in northern Sweden. [2] The leaders were also gifted a pistol by Turkey's president. [2]
Defense Industry Forum Yields $50 Billion in Deals
NATO officials touted more than $50 billion in defense procurement and industrial agreements at an industry forum alongside the summit. [4] Defense companies from NATO member states gathered in Ankara this week for an industry forum held alongside the alliance's annual summit, where officials touted more than $50 billion in defense procurement and industrial agreements. [4] The same details appear in additional reporting on the forum outcomes. [5]
Next Steps for Cyprus Negotiations
The next enlarged meeting is expected to take place next month and will involve the island’s two sides, its three guarantor powers, Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, and the UN. [1] In advance of this, Holguin has embarked on a round of contacts with stakeholders both in Cyprus and abroad, with her next meeting set to be with Antonio Costa on Monday. [1] Turkey’s support for Guterres’ new initiative to bring about a resumption of talks on the Cyprus problem was recorded in the joint statement issued by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and three members of the EU’s college of commissioners last week. [1] However, this should be made clear in practice, as the rhetorical position should be translated into substantive intent, and this will be demonstrated through the convening of an informal multilateral meeting. [1] The one who is expected to bend its own intransigence is Turkey. [1]
What to watch next: The next enlarged meeting expected next month will test whether Turkey translates its rhetorical support into action through an informal multilateral meeting, while Holguin continues contacts ahead of her Monday meeting with Costa.
