EU held hostage by Greek Cypriot and Greek foreign policies, says Oktay

Nov 2, 2026 2:43 pm Ibrar Younas 87

The European Union is damaging its own strategic interests by allowing Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration to dictate its foreign policy, senior Turkish politician Fuat Oktay has warned.

EU held hostage by Greek Cypriot and Greek foreign policies, says Oktay

Oktay, Chairman of the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and a former Turkish Vice-President, made the remarks in Berlin on Monday during a visit by a parliamentary delegation.
Speaking to journalists following a meeting with representatives of Turkish civil society organisations in Germany, Oktay accused the EU of adopting an increasingly inward-looking approach and failing to respond effectively to international developments.
He argued that the EU's position on Türkiye was being shaped by the policies of Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration.
“There could be no approach more damaging to the EU than allowing itself to be confined by the foreign policies of these two countries,” Oktay said.
Türkiye's role in European security
Oktay said Türkiye's membership of the EU would strengthen the bloc's strategic outlook, arguing that Ankara would contribute to European security and economic development rather than become a burden.
He criticised what he described as double standards in European defence cooperation, particularly restrictions preventing Türkiye from participating fully in EU defence industry initiatives.
Referring to the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, Oktay questioned why Türkiye was expected to contribute to Europe's security through NATO while facing barriers to European defence projects.
He insisted that NATO should remain the foundation of Europe's security architecture, even if EU countries developed additional defence capabilities.
Oktay also called for broader cooperation between Türkiye and the EU, including trade, economic relations and political dialogue.
He said discussions during the German visit would also cover visa issues, modernisation of the EU–Türkiye Customs Union and counterterrorism cooperation.
Oktay maintained that closer relations with Türkiye would benefit Europe, provided the EU moved beyond what he described as its strategic blindness and the influence of Athens and the Greek Cypriot leadership.