According to the senator, close defense cooperation with the US and NATO is a shield that offers Greece a deterrent. Robert Menendezduring the Delphi Economic Forum in Washington. The senator spoke in detail about all the steps in recent years that have significantly increased defense cooperation between the two sides and work for the benefit of both our country and the United States.

“Now one of the things Greece’s neighbors who can be competitive have to think about is that some are wondering if it’s right for Greece to have that kind of relationship with its NATO allies and the United States? So wait, you want to hit a country whose American presence is in Souda Bay? Want to hit a country that has such an American presence in Alexandroupolis? Do you really think this is smart? I don’t think it makes sense for anyone to do any of this because there is no reason to. Greece did nothing to provoke Turkey. So (incentives) are definitely competitive. But (this defense cooperation) adds another dimension by helping Greece bolster its defense posture through an alliance with the US.”

Turkish F-16

Mr. Menendez reiterated his strong opposition to Turkey’s request for F-16, saying: “When we share common values ​​with a country, and also have a strategic interest, I have no problem giving the green light as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, which is in charge of this issue. I have no problem signing under these circumstances. But when a country does the exact opposite, then yes, I have trouble agreeing to such a sale.”

Selling F-35 in Greece

In continuation, the chairman of the committee on foreign relations said that two days ago he gave the green light to the sale F-35 in Greece. Republican committee vice chairman Jim Reese and the corresponding House committee chairman and vice chairman (Michael McCall, Gregory Meeks) must also agree to the process. Once this consent is obtained, the US government will formally notify Congress of the sale of the F-35 to Greece, after which the established defense contract ratification process will follow.

“I am satisfied because two days ago I signed a request for an F-35 to Greece. I didn’t do this because I’m a fan of the Greek people. I did this because this is a country that shares our values ​​and stands in solidarity with us in important areas. For democracy, human rights, the rule of law, a country that is not hostile to its neighbors, but the exact opposite,” said Mr. Menendez.

New American Strategy for the Eastern Mediterranean

The senator emphasized the strategic nature of the Eastern Mediterranean, saying that the US must have a specific agenda for the region even under a scenario in which Turkey must behave as an ideal ally. In this light, he also mentioned the historic East Med Act, which gave new impetus to American engagement in the region.

As he noted, “Even if Turkey under Erdogan was the Turkey we would like it to be, a secular state with strong NATO values, with which we share our values ​​of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, we will still need Eastern Mediterranean strategy. So what I was trying to do with the bill that became law was to persuade the American governments to view the eastern Mediterranean through a different dynamic, a dynamic that creates economic opportunities, a dynamic that opens up the energy fields of Greece, Cyprus. as well as Israel. Dynamics through which a stronger security relationship can exist.”

Satisfaction for the lifting of the arms embargo on Cyprus

Mr. Menendez expressed satisfaction with the lifting of the arms embargo against Cyprus, while acknowledging that the Republic of Cyprus has taken important steps to limit Russian influence. “I am pleased to see that, with my insistence and assistance, we have lifted the arms embargo, not because Cyprus is going to buy tons of offensive or defensive equipment, but because it was very important to recognize the right of Cyprus to do so. As well as the fact that Cyprus has done many important things, including the ban on the parking of Russian ships. And this happened before the invasion, ”the senator emphasized.

Regarding the elections in Cyprus, Bob Menendez said he knew both candidates, stressing that the Cypriot people would decide who would be their leader. In any case, he argued that the positive trajectory of bilateral relations would continue on the basis of the achievements of the previous period. “It seems to me that in any case, with both candidates, we will have a strong relationship between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus. And the issues that we have been working on, such as the Eastern Mediterranean Strategy Bill and the energy and defense efforts at the inter-parliamentary level, as well as high-level negotiations between the three countries, all this will continue and I will not see any difference at the end of the day. “, he pointed out characteristically.

The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee also drew attention to the ongoing illegal occupation of Cyprus, urging the US government to take a tougher stance and work with the EU to put pressure on Ankara. As he pointed out, “It is unacceptable that for almost half a century the most militarized place in the world has been the northern part of the Republic of Cyprus. A place that has been captured and occupied that hosts a disproportionate number of Turkish troops compared to any security that might be required. If anything, it has offensive capabilities against the Republic of Cyprus. And Erdogan’s later actions against Famagusta, which violate the UN Security Council resolution. The EU should participate by criticizing this attitude. We need to work harder. The EU should urge Turkey to change course. As I said, as long as I remain a United States Senator, I will work until the day when the last boot of the last Turkish soldier leaves northern Cyprus.”

^{Source: RES-IPE}