Türkiye emerges as potential guarantor for autonomy of Europe’s defense: Report

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Türkiye emerges as a potential guarantor of Europe's defense autonomy, according to a Greek academician's latest write-up in the daily Kathimerini, which was published on Monday.

Recalling the intensified negotiations between Türkiye and major European powers on the future of European security architecture, Stavros Ioannidis, an assistant professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, stated that it seemed unimaginable only a few years ago, "Times, however, have changed, and the international situation, as well as the declared intention of the US to reduce its military footprint on the Old Continent, creates a first-class opportunity for Türkiye, not only to return to the European "living rooms" but to assume a leading role in NATO and Europe.”

This situation is not favorable to Greek interests or the country's weak defense industry, which does not appear to be prepared to keep up with the pace required by international developments, Ioannidis stated.

He maintained that Türkiye, on the one hand, expanded its food footprint from Syria to Northern and Eastern Africa, while on the other hand, successfully penetrated European defence markets, as evidenced by the export of ammunition and drones to many European countries, as well as close and successful cooperation between Türkiye, Italy, and Spain.

“While the Old Continent seems weak to stand on its own two feet defensively, Türkiye, through its President Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, clearly says that only it can save the EU from the impasse in the economy, defense, and politics,” he commented.