Turkey Calls on Europe for Security Cooperation as it Seeks Alternatives to the United States

The President of Turkey has called on the President of France to involve Turkey in the formation of a new European security architecture.

This is reported by Bloomberg.

The two presidents reportedly discussed bilateral relations and regional issues on the sidelines of the NATO summit. Including the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel.

According to the newspaper’s sources, the Turkish leader wants the European leaders he meets at the summit in The Hague to recognize Turkey’s value to the continent’s security as NATO’s second largest army. And that unlimited defense cooperation is key to improving deterrence.

Turkey is seeking to convince its Western allies to agree to jointly produce air defense equipment, which could support its plans to develop a strong domestic defense industry.

Turkey is probably seeking to have its companies allowed to participate in the €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, which aims to strengthen Europe’s defense by purchasing weapons from European manufacturers and partner countries.

Before the meeting, it was expected that the Turkish president would ask Macron to drop his opposition to the joint production of a European missile defense system.

Turkey has long sought Macron’s approval for the purchase of European SAMP/T systems from Eurosam. In 2020, in response to a similar request, Macron said that Turkey must first clarify its goals in the conflict in Syria. France has also supported Greece and Cyprus in their territorial disputes with Turkey in the disputed waters of the eastern Mediterranean.

In early June, NATO began cooperation with the Turkish defense company ASELSAN to develop a modular ground-based air defense system.