Turkiye excluded from EU defense funding

Turkiye will remain excluded from the European Union’s new defense funding mechanism, as outlined in the European Commission’s White Paper on the Future of European Defense.

The move impacts access to the EU’s 150-billion-euro defense budget, which also excludes the United States and the United Kingdom. 

The Commission’s report includes a direct reference to Turkiye’s long-standing EU candidacy, noting that while the country is excluded from the defense funding pool, it remains a long-term partner in EU foreign and security policies. 

The paper highlights Turkiye’s need to align with EU priorities, particularly in resolving the Cyprus issue and ensuring stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, areas that have strained relations between Ankara and Brussels.

Further complicating Turkiye’s access to European defense resources, the EU’s SAFE program, which deals with collective defense procurement, requires full consensus among member-states. The prospect of Turkiye participating in joint defense programs is challenging due to this unanimity requirement.

However, regarding the approval of the SAFE regulation, a special majority is required (15 out of the 25 members or countries representing at least 65% of the EU’s population). Additionally, before gaining access to EU loans, Turkey would need to sign a Partnership Agreement with the EU in security and defense, a step already undertaken by countries like Norway, South Korea and Japan. Negotiations are ongoing with Canada.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to attend an emergency EU summit on Thursday, where these developments will be key topics. 

The summit will also address concerns over the details of the new defense mechanisms, which could potentially allow for exceptions regarding Turkiye’s exclusion.

Kathimerini