EU Invites Türkiye, South Korea to Join €150B Defense Initiative

The European Union has officially invited Türkiye and South Korea to join its €150 billion SAFE Defense Program aimed at bolstering the continent’s defense industry. The announcement was made today by the EU Commission, highlighting a significant step towards enhancing military cooperation in Europe.

This initiative comes at a time when the EU is seeking to strengthen its defense capabilities amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The SAFE program is designed to provide long-term loans to participating countries, facilitating investments in defense technology and infrastructure. However, full participation requires unanimous approval from all EU member states.

Greece and Cyprus have voiced strong opposition to the inclusion of Türkiye in the program, citing longstanding regional tensions. Their objections could hinder the approval process, potentially delaying the program"s rollout and impacting strategic defense collaborations within Europe.

The outcome of this invitation remains uncertain as negotiations continue. Should the program advance, it could reshape defense dynamics in the region and foster closer ties between the EU and its Asian partners. Meanwhile, the implications of this development are being closely monitored, drawing parallels to recent developments in international diplomacy.