Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has issued sharp criticism of the European Union’s new SAFE defense mechanism, referring obliquely to the possible inclusion of Turkey. “For Europe to exist, it must be based on common principles and a common understanding of the threat to the standard of living, or it is self-defeating,” Dendias said.
The SAFE (Security Action for Europe) initiative, which was approved by the EU General Affairs Council on May 27, aims to strengthen European defense through joint procurement and industrial investment. While designed primarily for EU member states, the regulation allows third countries—such as Ukraine, Turkey, and others—to participate through specific agreements.
Dendias questioned this openness: “And what is the point of an internal European dialogue today about the dangers that the Muslim Brotherhood creates in Europe when the same Europe subsidizes those with the value framework of the Muslim Brotherhood who threaten and occupy European space,” he said.
The Greek minister’s remarks come amid growing concerns in Athens over Turkey’s potential role in SAFE. Ankara is actively seeking improved terms for participation in the mechanism, with Turkish Foreign Ministry sources calling their inclusion “a test of sincerity for the European Union.”
But for Greece, the inclusion of Turkey—whose parliament still maintains a casus belli (cause for war) against Greece over territorial disputes in the Aegean—remains a red line.
He also raised strong objections to the procedural aspects of the SAFE framework, suggesting it may be used by some EU members to sidestep consensus requirements. “I would suggest that the SAFE regulation be called a backdoor regulation , if certain partners attempt to implement it through tricks so that unanimity of EU members is not required for agreements with third countries. And especially if this happens without the Turkish parliament canceling the casus belli against Greece despite the Greek Prime Minister’s position and in violation of the legally correct objections of the European Parliament.” Dendias warned.
Greek officials have emphasized that while the SAFE regulation sets a framework, any bilateral agreement with a third country such as Turkey would still require unanimous approval by EU member states—a requirement Athens says it will enforce.
