GREEK REPORTER
Greece Joins EU’s SAFE Defense Plan; Turkey’s Participation Vetoed
Greece joined 18 other European Union member-states in submitting national plans on Sunday for the new Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, which offers low-interest loans designed to strengthen European defense capabilities and accelerate arms production.
The submissions completed the program’s first milestone, marking a significant step toward deeper EU defense integration.
The SAFE program
The SAFE program is a key component of the EU’s recent push to rapidly boost its defense industrial base and replenish stockpiles, driven largely by the security implications of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It is a major financial instrument, intended to pool resources and reduce reliance on external defense suppliers, particularly the United States. This move towards “strategic autonomy” in defense has been a long-term goal for the EU, now given urgent impetus by the current geopolitical climate.
International participation and exclusion
Canada secured full participation after successfully concluding negotiations with the European Commission on Monday, becoming the only non-EU country with complete access to the mechanism. This is notable as the EU seeks closer cooperation with key NATO and G7 allies.
In contrast, Britain, Turkey, and South Korea remained excluded. Turkey’s potential participation faces significant obstacles. Greece and Cyprus would veto Turkish involvement, citing longstanding political and military tensions, with France also likely to object, the Commission acknowledged. This illustrates how complex bilateral disputes continue to affect pan-European defense cooperation.
A Commission spokesperson noted that, while third countries can technically participate up to 35% in member-state projects, “participation of third countries up to 35% can technically and legally be limited if we consider it necessary” to protect EU interests. This legal caveat provides the EU with a defense against unwanted foreign influence in sensitive defense projects.
Britain rejected the program due to high EU financial demands and disagreements over access and governance. Post-Brexit defense cooperation remains a thorny issue, with the UK preferring bilateral or NATO-led frameworks.
Greece’s contribution to SAFE
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias told EU defense ministers meeting in Brussels that Greece “has much to offer” in discussions about EU defense readiness through 2030.
“With the ‘Agenda of 2030’ we can give the EU our own perspective and understanding, a holistic approach and holistic protection,” Dendias said. Greece, situated on the EU’s southeastern flank and facing significant regional challenges, views its active participation as crucial to both national security and the broader EU defense agenda.
The critical role of the Ukraine conflict was highlighted by the fact that fifteen of the nineteen participating states included Ukraine in their national plans, with investments worth billions, the Commission reported without identifying the specific countries. These investments are likely aimed at procuring, producing, or transferring defense material to Kyiv.
The Commission will evaluate the submitted plans in the coming weeks, aiming for initial disbursements of up to 15% of requested loans by year-end, signaling the urgent priority placed on rapidly executing the SAFE program.
Related: EU’s SAFE Program Allocates €787.67 Million for Greece’s Defense
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