Turkish Foreign Minister calls for inclusion in European defense initiatives

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has publicly urged European nations to allow Turkey to participate in European defense initiatives, arguing that NATO allies must remain inclusive. During an event in Ankara hosted by the Center for Strategic Research and Chatham House, Fidan stated that European security cannot be restricted to the European Union alone. He criticized current restrictions on defense industrial cooperation, labeling them strategic burdens that hinder collective efficiency and reaction speed. Fidan emphasized that countries like Turkey and the United Kingdom are essential partners for European security. Reports suggest these remarks serve as a critique of opposition from Greece and the Republic of Cyprus regarding the SAFE program. Fidan also noted the challenges surrounding potential participation by U.S. President Donald Trump in upcoming NATO summit discussions. He concluded that, in a rapidly changing security environment, the alliance must focus on industrial power and operational readiness rather than exclusionary criteria.