Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Turkey will not be able to participate in the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defense program “as long as the ‘casus belli’ remains,” referring to Turkey’s 1995 parliamentary declaration that any extension of Greek territorial waters in the Aegean beyond six nautical miles would be considered a cause for war, according to the Athens–Macedonian News Agency (AMNA).
He added that Athens still seeks “calm waters” with Ankara.
Speaking at the Thessaloniki International Fair on Saturday, Mitsotakis addressed questions on relations with Turkey. He pointed to measures such as a marine spatial planning map, new marine parks and hydrocarbon tenders south of Crete as examples of Greece’s intent to defend its rights. “Greece’s plan is not subject to Turkey’s approval. Our country has shown that it exercises sovereignty differently than in the past,” he said.
SAFE, launched by the European Commission in March and approved in May, will provide €150 billion in long-term loans to strengthen Europe’s defense industry through 2030. At least 65 percent of each project must be carried out by firms based in the European Union, the European Economic Area or Ukraine, with non-EU partners limited to a share of 15 to 35 percent.
The program allows candidate countries such as Turkey to join through cooperation agreements under Article 17 of the regulation, subject to approval by a qualified majority of EU states. Greece had sought unanimous consent for such deals, citing EU Treaty articles, but the proposal was rejected. Athens, however, recorded its reservations and has signaled it will continue to oppose Turkey’s participation as long as the casus belli remains.
Mitsotakis said he would keep communication channels open with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, including a possible meeting during the UN General Assembly. “I speak very honestly with Mr. Erdoğan in every meeting,” he said.
He also repeated Greece’s opposition to the 2019 Turkey–Libya maritime delimitation agreement, which Athens deems legally invalid, saying that issues of maritime jurisdiction in the area should involve Greece as a counterpart.