Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has accused Greece of pursuing “highly risky policies” in its relations with Israel, suggesting Athens is adopting an approach that sets it apart from other European countries.
“We see that Greece is pursuing highly risky policies here. There are very interesting aspects in Greece attempting to follow a type of policy that no other country in Europe is pursuing on its own,” Fidan stated in his latest remarks.
Context of the Criticism
Fidan’s comments target Greece’s deepening strategic and military partnership with Israel, often conducted in trilateral format with the Republic of Cyprus (internationally recognized government in the south of the island). Turkey has consistently opposed this cooperation, which includes energy projects, joint military drills, and security coordination in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Ankara views the Greece–Republic of Cyprus–Israel alignment as exclusionary and provocative, arguing it disregards Turkish and Turkish Cypriot rights while potentially turning the region into a platform for broader conflicts. Turkey is the only country that recognizes the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the north of the divided island.
Broader Turkish Concerns
Turkish officials have repeatedly warned that:
- The partnership risks drawing Greece and the Republic of Cyprus into Middle East tensions.
- Increased defense cooperation and arms procurement from Israel by the Greek side contributes to militarization in the region.
- Such policies could destabilize the Eastern Mediterranean rather than enhance security.
Greece maintains that its ties with Israel and the Republic of Cyprus are defensive, focused on energy security, maritime rights, and regional stability. Athens does not recognize the TRNC and describes Turkish actions in the north as an occupation.
Ongoing Tensions
This latest statement from Fidan comes amid persistent disputes over maritime boundaries, hydrocarbon exploration, and the unresolved Cyprus issue. While diplomatic channels and NATO mechanisms continue to manage differences, rhetoric between the two NATO allies remains pointed.
Turkey has called for balanced regional arrangements that include its interests and those of the TRNC, while advocating for dialogue on Aegean and Mediterranean issues. No immediate policy shifts or escalations have been announced following Fidan’s remarks.
This article uses standard international terminology: the Republic of Cyprus refers to the internationally recognized government in the south, while the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) refers to the entity in the north, recognized only by Turkey.