Dendias to Spanish Foreign Minister | Concerns over possible Madrid-Ankara military cooperation

Defence Redefined

15/12/2021

Concerns over Spain’s intention to boost military cooperation with Turkey were expressed to the Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno by his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias. 

“I was honest in our conversation, as good friends must always be. I expressed concern about Spain’s intention to step up its military cooperation with Turkey and stressed that as early as 2008, with our common Council position 944 of December 8 laying down common rules governing military technology exports, the member-states have pledged not to export military technology and equipment that could be used for offensive operations or for regional destabilization,” Nikos Dendias said in joint statements after the meeting at the Foreign Ministry.

In this context, Nikos Dendias stated that he was particularly pleased to receive the assurance from the Spanish Foreign Minister that Spain acts and will always act within a European framework and within the framework of European resolutions. For this straightforward attitude, as he said, he thanked him.

“Turkey is a factor of destabilization”

Furthermore, Nikos Dendias underlined the “destabilizing” role of Turkey in the Mediterranean, making special reference to Casus Belli against Greece. “Today’s Turkey is a destabilizing factor in the Mediterranean, with a major statement: Casus Belli, the threat of war against Greece, which is unprecedented,” Dendias told his Spanish counterpart. Turkey, Nikos Dendias underlined, is the only country in the world that has issued a threat of war against another country, and even if the other country exercises its legal right. “It’s not just that. The illegal and non-existent Turkish-Libyan memorandum is also a Turkish action condemned by all EU member-states. There’s also the illegal occupation of part of the Republic of Cyprus and the instrumentalization of immigration, something that Belarus also imitated,” he added.

In this regard, the Foreign Minister pointed out that the common denominator of all these actions is the complete lack of respect for International Law and the Law of the Sea. However, he noted, both International and Maritime Law are part of the European acquis and, while denouncing these practices, he said that they are in direct conflict with the UN Charter and the values ​​and principles that the EU stands for, which are respected by both Greece and Spain.

He went on to say what the two countries have in common: “They are countries of the Mediterranean, of southern Europe, they have been partners in the EU since the 1980s, they are allies in NATO. They are distinguished by their commitment to common values, such as democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.”

Nikos Dendias made special reference to the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation. More specifically, he said that Greece looks forward to strengthening its cooperation with Spain, both in the context of the EU and European solidarity both in MED9 and bilaterally. “We also have the obligation to stand by Spain in whatever challenges Spain may or will not face. European solidarity is not a la carte. We are next to each other,” he added.

Also read: Dendia’s letter to the Foreign Ministers of Germany, Italy and Spain requesting arms embargo on Turkey

Spanish Foreign Minister: Finding solutions between Greece and Turkey-based on European and International Law

The need to find solutions based on European and International Law was suggested by the Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno during his joint statements with Nikos Dendias. The Spanish Foreign Minister said that “Greece, like any other EU member, can be sure that Spain will always work within the European framework and through common European decisions.”

Continuing in the same spirit, the Spanish Foreign Minister noted that Greece and Spain converge on many issues and even said that Greece can rely on Spain as a friend, ally, and partner, and “you can always be sure that we will support you”. He underlined that his presence in Athens gives them the opportunity to build even more important cooperation.

He also assured that the two countries will continue to work in international fora, making a separate reference to MED9. “Our positions are very common, similar to major international issues,” he said.

Following the end of the joint statements, extended talks took place between the Greek and Spanish delegations. The agenda of the talks included the strengthening of Greek-Spanish cooperation, developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa, and Belarus, immigration, and EU enlargement.

Source: AMNA

Also read: Anastasiadis – Sanchez | Cyprus issue, immigration and Turkish provocations at the meeting of the two leaders in Madrid