Türkiye Frustrated With Franco-Greek Alliance

Ongoing Turkish-Greek contradictions periodically remind one of the internal disagreements within the NATO bloc, which could escalate into a new hotspot of tension in Europe. France’s choice in favor of a military alliance with Greece has caused concern in Türkiye.

France and Greece’s “Famous Alliance”

Naturally, military strengthening of Greece is extremely displeasing to Türkiye, as Greco-Turkish contradictions are escalating not only due to historical territorial disputes but also regarding the settlement of the Cyprus issue, as well as in light of the discovery of vast oil and gas deposits in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Türkiye lays claim to a portion of these deposits, while Greece considers them to be within its territorial waters.

The major French energy company Total, together with the Italian oil and gas company Eni, is actively partnering in the exploitation of discovered deposits in this region, which could alter the balance of power in the global energy market.

Meanwhile, the economic foundation of Franco-Greek relations presupposes deepening military cooperation as well, given their shared interests. France, through Greece and Cyprus, is finding a growing market for the supply of weapons and military equipment. Accordingly, the military reinforcement of the Greek states is intended to cool down Türkiye’s aggressive aspirations to seize the richest oil and gas deposits on the continental shelf in this region.

This is precisely what lay behind the official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Greece this April, during which new agreements were signed to expand military cooperation between Paris and Athens. In particular, the parties decided to extend and expand the 2021 strategic partnership agreement. France sold Greece a new batch of Rafale aircraft, frigates, and missiles. This trend is leading to a high degree of Greek defense and security dependence on........

© New Eastern Outlook