Turkey is closely monitoring growing defense ties between Israel, Greece and Cyprus, but does not intend to rely on NATO alone for its national security, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said Monday.
Guler noted that Ankara is monitoring Israeli statements, defense cooperation with Greece and Cyprus, and Israeli operations in Syria and Africa. He dismissed rhetoric against Turkey as “having no value” under international law.
The minister warned that excluding Turkey from European defense programs could undermine European security and NATO cohesion.
Highlighting Turkey’s strategic location, military capabilities and operational experience, Guler said Ankara is pursuing a multidimensional approach to national security that balances its national interests with NATO commitments.
He said Turkey’s participation in European defense initiatives will depend on its NATO rights, strategic contributions, and shared threat assessments.