As euraciv writes, this issue caused strong reactions in Athens, given the tense relations between Greece and Turkey and could shake the long-term alliance between the two EU member states.
“I expressed the French Ambassador strong opposition to Greece according to such a possibility, which is not in line with the Executive Strategic Relations between our countries,” Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said after a meeting with the French Ambassador Laurence Auer.
The Greek Ministry has called on information that France is ready to supply Turkish long-range meteor air-air projectiles, the same model that the Greek army is used on the battle planes of Rafal. Greece has already purchased 24 bursts of combat aircraft from France and considers the purchase of an additional six.
Meanwhile, Washington turned off the ANKARA from the F-35 programs after Turkey has decided to buy a Russian anti-risk defense system S-400, which is not compatible with NATO security standards and could jeopardize F-35 aircraft operations. Turkey now hurriedly seeks ways to compensate for the loss of air power in the Aegean Sea region.
Since she could not buy Rafale due to a clause on mutual defense in the Military Agreement between Greece and France, Turkey turned to Eurofighter combat planes, which produces the United Kingdom consortium, Germany, Italy and Spain.
(Vijesti.ba)
