Turkey is demanding that the European Union offer “more favorable” conditions for its defense industry’s participation in the newly announced Security Action for Europe (SAFE) scheme, saying that improving the terms of third-party involvement would be “a sincerity test for the EU.”

“After the mechanism in question was announced to the public, initiatives were taken with EU members and institutions, and our request was conveyed to make the conditions more favorable for the participation of non-EU NATO Allies, including Turkey, in joint procurement projects within the scope of SAFE,” the Turkish edition of Euronews quoted diplomatic sources in Ankara as saying in a report on Thursday.

EU ministers approved the creation of the 150 billion euro ($170.7 billion) arms fund aimed at boosting EU defense production through market-based lending on Tuesday. The scheme’s regulations allow limited participation by third countries – including Turkey – under strict conditions.

“We are determined to continue our efforts to establish the technical and contractual (agreement-based) ground that will enable Turkish defense industry companies, which stand out with their defense products that have proven themselves on the battlefield, to be included in the SAFE mechanism to the maximum extent,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry sources told Euronews, though they did not provide details of the specific “improvements” being sought by Ankara.

“Whether Turkey and Turkish companies, as an EU candidate and NATO ally, will be satisfactorily included in the SAFE mechanism and other relevant processes is a test of sincerity for the EU,” the sources were quoted as saying.

Source: Ekathimerini.com