Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday criticized Greece and Cyprus over their cooperation with Israel, warning it could heighten regional tensions, in an interview with Anadolu news agency.
“Cooperation between Greece, the ‘Greek Cypriot Administration’ and Israel does not bring more trust, it brings more mistrust. It brings more problems and war,” he said.
Fidan argued that Athens is pursuing “extremely dangerous policies,” adding: “There are very interesting aspects in Greece’s attempt to pursue a kind of policy that no other country in Europe follows alone.”
He questioned the rationale behind the partnerships, stating: “Neither Greece nor the ‘Greek Cypriot Administration’ need military cooperation with Israel. Greece is already a member of NATO, and the ‘Greek Cypriot Administration’ has the support of the EU. What strategic logic could justify seeking this kind of cooperation is something that not even they can explain to me.”
The minister also claimed that Israel “may seek to characterize Turkey as a new adversary after Iran, as it cannot survive without an enemy.”
Fidan said Israel’s actions in Lebanon resemble those in Gaza and warned that Israeli strikes in Syria pose a “serious danger” to Turkey. He added that Iran and the United States remain “sincere” in pursuing a ceasefire despite no agreement in Saturday’s Pakistan-mediated talks, but cautioned Israel “could disrupt the peace process.”
On the Strait of Hormuz, he stressed that military solutions would be complex: “Our position is that it must be reopened through peace.”
Fidan added Turkey should play a “key factor” role in shaping Europe’s security framework and said NATO allies should use an upcoming Ankara summit to “systematize NATO-US relations.”