Germany Pushes Greece to Allow Turkey Into EU’s €150 Billion SAFE Defense Program

Berlin is pressing Athens to lift its objections to Turkey’s participation in the European Union’s new €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, as the deadline for funding applications nears. Most EU members back cooperation with Ankara despite Greek and Cypriot opposition.

Germany Turns Up the Pressure

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is visiting Athens this week to persuade Greece to drop its objections to Turkey’s participation in SAFE, a new EU initiative designed to boost investment in European defense industries.

The diplomatic push comes as the November 30 deadline approaches for member states seeking SAFE-linked loans. Germany argues that excluding Turkey — NATO’s second-largest military power — would undermine Europe’s efforts to expand its defense manufacturing capacity amid rising global tensions.

High-Level Talks in Copenhagen

The issue was also raised last week at the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Copenhagen, where Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Rutte reportedly initiated the meeting, emphasizing that Turkey’s participation in SAFE is “essential” to Europe’s security ambitions.

Mitsotakis repeated Athens’ long-standing objections, saying Ankara must first renounce its threat of war (casus belli) should Greece extend its territorial waters in the Aegean, and drop its “gray zones” theory disputing Greek sovereignty over numerous islands and islets.

Greece Increasingly Isolated

Among EU member states, only France and Cyprus currently support Greece’s position outright, though others have expressed understanding of Athens’ concerns.

However, the overwhelming majority — including Germany, Italy, and several Eastern European and Nordic countries — view Turkey as a strategic partner with valuable industrial and military capabilities.

Ankara’s fast-growing defense sector, particularly in drones, missile systems, and naval technology, has become a major player within NATO. European governments see integration with Turkey as crucial to building a competitive continental defense base independent of the U.S. supply chain.

Eastern Europe: Pragmatism Over Politics

Eastern European capitals are leading advocates for Turkey’s inclusion in SAFE, citing both practical and strategic reasons.

Diplomatic sources told eKathimerini that these countries see Ankara’s stance toward Ukraine — balancing arms deliveries to Kyiv with ongoing dialogue with Moscow — as “ambivalent but useful.”

“At this stage, Europe needs both Turkey’s industrial capabilities and its willingness to engage in active operations if necessary,” one Eastern European official was quoted as saying.

Mirage Jet Dispute Adds Tension

Athens has also drawn criticism from EU and NATO partners over its refusal to transfer older Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to European allies.

Those aircraft, if shared, could help facilitate military support for Ukraine, freeing up other countries’ air fleets. Greece’s reluctance to do so has irritated Eastern European members, who see it as inconsistent with the bloc’s broader defense commitments.

The dispute further isolates Athens at a time when most EU states are calling for stronger coordination and resource pooling to counter Russia’s ongoing aggression.

Nordic States Back Cooperation

Surprisingly, Scandinavian countries — particularly Finland and Sweden — also support cooperation with Ankara under the SAFE framework.

Despite facing months of Turkish objections during their NATO accession bids, both governments now acknowledge that Turkey’s defense industry and geographic position make it an indispensable component of Europe’s long-term security architecture.

Strategic Realism in Berlin

Analysts say Berlin’s push to bring Turkey into SAFE reflects a shift toward strategic realism in European defense planning.

With the U.S. increasingly focused on Asia and internal political divisions, Germany and other EU members see Turkey’s defense capabilities — including drone manufacturing and its Mediterranean naval reach — as assets Europe cannot afford to ignore.

“Turkey may not be an EU member, but it is a critical power in Europe’s security ecosystem,” said one Berlin-based policy analyst. “Germany understands that alienating Ankara benefits neither NATO nor EU defense integration.”

What’s at Stake

SAFE, the €150 billion Security Action for Europe initiative, aims to strengthen Europe’s defense production, research, and technology base amid escalating geopolitical risks. The fund will provide long-term low-interest loans for joint defense projects, with a focus on weapons manufacturing, cybersecurity, and military innovation.

The inclusion of Turkey would significantly expand the bloc’s production capacity, given Ankara’s expertise in drones, armored vehicles, and missile systems — but would also raise political sensitivities within the EU.

For Greece, allowing Turkey into SAFE without preconditions risks appearing to legitimize Ankara’s territorial claims in the Aegean. For Germany, however, delaying the process could weaken Europe’s collective defense ambitions at a critical time.

The Broader Context

The SAFE debate underscores a wider question about Europe’s evolving security architecture — whether the EU should continue to prioritize political alignments or adopt a more pragmatic approach centered on industrial and military cooperation.

With the U.S. election looming and NATO preparing for its next strategic review, most analysts expect European defense integration to accelerate, even if it means working with “non-traditional” partners like Turkey.

Source: eKathimerini

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