Greece’s FM Meets NATO Chief; Talks with Turkey’s Fidan Set for Thursday

The discussions centered on key strategic issues, including the fair distribution of defence spending among NATO allies, continued support for Ukraine, and strengthening NATO-EU cooperation.

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday, during the informal gathering of NATO Foreign Ministers in Antalya.

The discussions centered on key strategic issues, including the fair distribution of defence spending among NATO allies, continued support for Ukraine, and strengthening NATO-EU cooperation.

High on the agenda was the pressing matter of increased defence expenditure across NATO member states—a priority strongly backed by the United States. Greece, which already meets and exceeds NATO’s defence spending targets, reaffirmed its commitment to collective security. Both Gerapetritis and Rutte emphasised the need for a balanced transatlantic burden-sharing arrangement, ensuring that the financial responsibilities of NATO are more equitably distributed between the US and European allies.

Support for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict with Russia also featured prominently, with Greece reiterating its alignment with NATO’s unified stance on aiding Kyiv militarily and politically.

Looking ahead, Gerapetritis is scheduled to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday, as the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting continues. Sources indicate that the meeting will focus on setting a date for the next High-Level Cooperation Council between Greece and Turkey, anticipated to take place this summer.

The dialogue with Ankara comes at a sensitive time. Speaking previously at the OT Forum, Gerapetritis underlined the importance of maintaining momentum in Greek-Turkish relations. “Our goal is to move forward with small, steady steps that can be embraced by both the political system and our societies,” he stated. He acknowledged the deep-rooted differences between the two neighbors but stressed the value of building and consolidating areas of cooperation.

The NATO meeting in Antalya serves as both a diplomatic stage and a barometer of alliance unity, as member states navigate a complex geopolitical landscape, from Eastern Europe to the Eastern Mediterranean according to in.gr