Greek minister’s message to Turkey: To be able to say ‘a new page has been turned’…

Speaking to Greek state television ERT, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panayotopoulos answered the question of whether a new era has entered with Turkey and whether a positive atmosphere has emerged between the two countries after the earthquakes, but that a continuity is needed to say that “a new page has been opened”.

Panayotopoulos stated that he expressed his condolences to the Turkish Ambassador to NATO at the NATO Defense Ministers meeting in Brussels, and in response said: “Good friends emerge in bad times.” Noting that Greece is always ready for a dialogue with Turkey, Panayotopoulos said: “If a date can be set for the dialogue on confidence-building measures, which we can expect in the near future, Greece is always ready to meet.”

Minister Panayotopoulos affirmed that they have made the necessary request to the US for the purchase of the F-35 and that they await a response in the spring. Panayotopoulos indicated that some details need to be clarified and noted that after the expected response in April-May, negotiations on technical and special conditions will begin.

‘F-35 MAY BE DELAYED’

Panayotopulos said the delivery of the F-35s to Greece could be delayed because they are fifth-generation vehicles, and the infrastructure at Air Force bases needs to accommodate the aircraft, forecasting 2028 for the first time. Deadline.

Nikos Panayotopulos affirmed that the bidders’ shipyard option will be effective in the decision on the corvettes that Greece plans to buy, saying: “We want these ships to be produced in Greece.”

Reminding that there is a request from Greece to send S-300 to Ukraine, Panayotopoulos added that Greece is not waiting for this offer for now, so as not to weaken its own defense system. (AA)