France says it has no role in Turkish deal to get Meteor missiles

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - France is not playing a role in a possible sale of Meteor missiles to Türkiye, according to the country’s defense minister.

“Do we have a role in this? The answer is no,” Sebastien Lecornu told the National Assembly on Tuesday.

He explained that the Meteor missiles are integrated into the Eurofighter jets that Türkiye is also working to acquire and that they are not selling this to Türkiye.

“We don't have control over British arms exports,” he said. The Eurofighter consortium is made up of the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Asked about the possible sale’s effects on French-Greek relations, Lecornu added that it was important to “measure the legitimate concern” of Greek public opinion on Türkiye getting the missiles.

“I think we only have diplomacy and persuasion to find a way for everyone to talk to each other, to find a solution at the highest level,” he said, adding that he would visit Athens to discuss the issue with his Greek counterpart.

In its efforts to bolster its air defense, Türkiye is in negotiations to acquire up to 40 Eurofighter jets to enhance its air force in the face of growing regional threats. The Meteor missiles are reportedly included in the proposed Eurofighter package.

Greece, which has recently stepped up its own military procurements through programs including F-16 fleet modernization and the purchase of French-made Rafale jets equipped with Meteor missiles, strongly opposes the sale to Türkiye.

On Jan. 29, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias summoned the French ambassador and military attache in Athens to express the country's firm opposition to the deal.

On Feb. 4, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis asked French President Emmanuel Macron about the missile negotiations during a meeting on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels.

Macron on Feb. 11 rejected Mitsotakis' request to block the missiles’ sale to Türkiye, underlining that the deal is outside French jurisdiction.