In a sharply worded statement, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, renewed criticism of Greece and Cyprus, reviving Ankara’s narrative that their military cooperation with Israel poses a threat to Muslim nations in the region.
Speaking on Sunday, April 19, during a press conference on the sidelines of a diplomatic forum in Antalya, Turkey’s top diplomat sought to frame Ankara’s outreach to countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Egypt as efforts aimed at stability and de-escalation. He dismissed suggestions that these contacts amount to the formation of a bloc against Israel.
Fidan shifted the focus of his criticism toward Athens and Nicosia, arguing that Turkey does not pursue the same strategy as Israel. “We are not like Israel. They have formed a military alliance with Greece and Cyprus against Muslim countries,” he said, insisting that Ankara’s priority remains regional stability.
Responding to journalists’ questions, he directly linked the Israel–Greece–Cyprus partnership to potential security risks for Turkey and other regional actors, claiming that no assurances have been offered that such cooperation is not directed against them.
He also pointed to public statements by Israeli leadership alongside the Greek prime minister and the president of the Republic of Cyprus, arguing that these reflected what he described as the “spirit” of a broader strategic alignment.
At the same time, Fidan suggested that Ankara’s response has remained measured due to ongoing bilateral talks with Athens, emphasizing that Turkey is closely monitoring military developments in the region and cannot ignore them.
His remarks were particularly pointed regarding Greece’s ties with Israel, which he portrayed as exceptional even among Western nations. He claimed that no other European country has taken comparable steps, hinting that Athens may not be fully transparent about its intentions.
Concluding, Fidan argued that the partnership raises concerns not only in Turkey but across the wider Muslim world, adding that Ankara has the means to safeguard its defense while also receiving similar expressions of concern from regional partners.
