Defense minister open to meeting with Turkish counterpart
Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos has said he would not rule out a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Hulusi Akar, in the near future, an invitation for which has already been extended from the Turkish side.
Speaking to Skai FM on Friday, Panagiotopoulos said such a meeting was more likely to occur in the earthquake-stricken areas of Türkiye – where Akar has been spending considerable time – although both countries are now going through a demanding pre-electoral period.
There definitely is a change in relations between Greece and Türkiye after the recent earthquakes there, he pointed out, and tensions have clearly subsided, but it is uncertain whether this change will be maintained or permanent.
Panagiotopoulos also mentioned that the 12th Rafale fighter jet has already landed at the Tanagra air force base, this being part of Greece’s procurement of Rafales from France.
A letter of offer and acceptance for the F-35 jets is also expected from the United States soon, he noted, pending details about the defense industry’s participation in the deal, and the creation of infrastructure for the aircrafts’ reception in Greece.
In 2024, Greece will receive another three C-130 military transport aircraft, while a third C-27 transport aircraft will be delivered to Greece by year’s end, and a fourth early in 2024. With these, Greece will then have eight C-27s, noted the minister. He also noted that issues of delayed maintenance for the C-130s would be partly resolved through an Israeli company that will maintain three of them.
AMNA
