Türkiye: NATO key state demands access to EU defense

About a week before NATO–summit the Turkish President has in Ankara Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for Turkey to be “integrated” into the European defense structure. “As one of the countries that have a say in the development of the European pillar of the alliance, we want to be involved in all defense and security initiatives on the continent,” Erdogan told MPs in Istanbul on Monday 32 NATO member states.

Turkey’s “indispensable” contributions to European security are sometimes overlooked, Erdogan emphasized. Turkey expects MEPs “to support the inclusion of Türkiye in the defense and security initiatives announced by the European Union”.

Ankara wants participation in the 150 billion euro EU program

Europe is currently strengthening its own defense capacities against the background of the Russian threat and the threat of reduced US contributions to NATO. As part of the “Security Action For Europe” (Safe) program, the EU Commission is making around 150 billion euros available in the form of concessional loans to finance joint projects. The funds can be used to purchase weapons or ammunition as well as to build defense infrastructure and border protection facilities.

For Turkey to participate in the Safe Initiative, the consent of all 27 EU member states is necessary. Greece has already threatened a blockade. The Turkish president also called for the removal of all obstacles blocking trade in the defense industry between NATO alliance members. “If we want to overcome the current challenges, we must remove trade blockades in the defense industry and at the same time ensure balanced and fair burden sharing among the allies,” said Erdogan.

The NATO summit will take place in Ankara on July 7th and 8th. Heads of state and government from the 32 NATO member states, including US President Donald Trump, are expected to attend the meeting.