Greek Prime Minister Questions France on Potential Missile Sale to Turkey

athens, greece - Greek Prime Minister Miçotakis to discuss the possibility of Meteor missile sale to Turkey with French President Macron.

Greek Prime Minister's Concerns

Greek Prime Minister Miçotakis is set to address the issue of a potential sale of Meteor missiles to Turkey by a consortium involving France. The sale has been a major topic in Athens, with pressure mounting on France for a clear stance. Miçotakis is expected to bring up the matter during his one-on-one meeting with French President Macron at the 'Artificial Intelligence Action Summit' in Paris.

France's Response

Reports suggest that Greece is unlikely to prevent the sale of Meteor missiles to Turkey, despite Miçotakis' efforts. The Kathimerini newspaper mentioned that during a conversation between Miçotakis and Macron at an EU Summit in Brussels, Macron indicated that the deal with Turkey was not final. French sources clarified that the Meteor missiles are produced by the MBDA consortium, which includes not only France but also the UK, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Sweden. The newspaper also noted that Greece currently has 36 Meteor missiles in its arsenal.

Defense Minister Nikos Dendias previously sought clarification from the French Ambassador regarding the news of the potential missile sale to Turkey. Dendias emphasized Greece's strong opposition to such a deal, stating that it would not align with the excellent strategic relationship between Greece and France.

During a speech at a military base in Kozani, Dendias highlighted the clear threat faced by the country and emphasized the need to strengthen Greece's capabilities to counter this threat.