SAFE System: The “windows” from Turkey and the Greek “brake”

Stefanos Nikolaidis

From acquisitions of European companies until subcontractsthe Turkey finds ways to get involved in New Safe program of Brussels.

Talking to skai.grProfessor of International Law and ND MP, Angel Syrigosdescribes the triptych anchor penetrationthe legal ‘red lines’ her Greece and the need for Athens to demand Helsinkiwith the backdrop of casus belli and demilitarization of the islands.

From Today Thursday 29th May Applies Safe, a system that aspires to be the funding backbone of European defense through the broader plan Rearm Europe 2030. This is a tool low -loan tall 150 billion euros will be allocated by the end of 2030, with the aim of reinforcing defensive industry of its Member States European Union.

Although Turkey is not explicitly mentioned in the text of Safe, the big question mark for the Greek side was exactly that: How can Ankara participate in the European Defense Task, utilizing EU financial tools?

Three roads for Turkey

Angelos Syrigos clarifies that the Safe program was designed primarily for EU member states and their defense industries. Nevertheless, an entry window opens up to 35% for third countriessuch as Norwaythe Ukraine or the Britainprovided existence of an agreement with European Union.

However, Turkey, as a third country, has three Different participation capabilities:

1. Indirect participation through a European Company Requirement

“We’ve already seen it with the Italian Piaggio Aerospaceacquired by the Turkish Baykar. In this case, Greece is not able to block it. It is enough for a letter from the Italian government that the conditions are fulfilled because the company now appears as Italian, not Turkish“, Notes Mr. Syrigos.

This means that Turkey’s participation not considered formally participationso are not activated the protection clauses of Member States.

2. Limited participation as a subcontractor up to 15%.

‘For example, the German colossus Rheinmetall can take a project and use Turkish company as subcontractor‘he explains. In this case, no approval is required by the European Council. Here we are not talking about exclusiveness but for Participation in joint ventures.

3. Immediate participation of up to 35% through EU – Turkey Agreement

“Here, yes, EU agreement is required with Turkey and therefore unanimity on the basis of the Articles 212 and 218 her TSEE (EU Operating Treaty)‘, Mr. Syrigos emphasizes. Greece at this stage is entitled ‘brake“

Article 16 and Greek footage

The sided is the Article 16 of the SAFE system, which provides that third countries can participate “unless the security and defense interests of the Union or Member States are threatened”. “So here Greece can oppose that the existence of Casus Belli and the threats to demilitarize the islands are a threat to its interests. “.

As Angel Syrigos points out, Greece’s attitude should be reminiscent of the strategy he adopted at Summit of Helsinki the 1999.

“Yes to the deal, but in clear terms. In addition to lifting Casus Belli, I would put and an additional term: to explicitly recognize Turkey that the East Aegean Islands is militarized to new security conditions. Such a statement would solve the issue of demilitarization“, He says.

The subject of demilitarization, according to him, is much more practical problem From Casus Belli. “Casus Belli is a symbolic threat. On the contrary, demilitarization causes daily episodes and friction in the Aegean. He goes, let’s say, Nikos Dendias on an island and gets up helicopter. Immediately the Turks ask: Why fly the helicopter? It is a demilitarized zone …“, He explains.

The legal base and veto boundaries

Safe was approved with majorityso Greece could not veto its general approval. However, as a diplomatic source reports, the Greek side managed to secure indirect guarantees for managing future agreements with third countries, through Article 212 referred to in unanimity for financial agreements with candidate countries. The relevant provision was also included in 23rd paragraph of the causal report of the Safe Regulation.

In addition, Greece filed national statement to Council of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) to May 21clarifying its position and insisting that for each agreement with third countries, such as Turkey, it is required unanimity.

Political Balances in the EU

As Angelos Syrigos points out, “European states say that within the Next 5-6 years They want to have made a serious defense industry. Alone do not catch up, so they seek help from third parties“

Turkey, with the rapid development of its defense industry, is considered potential partner for countries such as Germanythe Italy and the Spainwhich are already working with Turkish companies. Even the Francewhich officially expresses objections, in practice does not react strongly.

“Therefore, there is a European climate in favor of Turkey’s involvement, even if this raises concerns in Greece“, Concludes Mr. Syrigos.

Greece failed to exclude Turkey from Safe, but it has it available lawfully and political tools to blocked her participation of her individual programs.

The question is now to use them in timesetting termssuch as lifting Casus Belli and the recognition of islands’ militarization before they were created perpetrated in European defense.