Menendez: Green light for the sale of F 35 in Greece – Close defense cooperation with the USA is a shield for Athens

The close defense cooperation with United States and NATO constitutes a shield that offers deterrent power to Greece, the senator estimated Robert Menendez, during the “Delphi Economic Forum” in Washington. The senator made detailed reference to all the steps of recent years that have substantially upgraded defense cooperation between the two sides and work for the benefit of both our country and the USA.

“Now, one of the things Greece’s neighbors who might be competitive should think about, is what some are wondering, if it is right for Greece to have this relationship with its NATO allies and the United States. Well, wait a minute, do you want to hit a country that has an american presence in souda gulf? Want to hit a country that has such an American presence in Alexandroupolis? Do you really think that’s smart? I don’t think it’s smart for anyone to do any of these, because there’s no reason. Greece did nothing to provoke Turkey. So (incentives) are definitely competitive. But (this defense cooperation) gives another dimension to helping Greece find itself in a strengthened defense position through the alliance with the US.”

Turkish F-16

Menendez once again expressed her his steadfast opposition to Turkey’s request for F-16s; saying “when with a country we have shared values ​​and there is also a strategic interest, I have no problem giving the green light as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee that has jurisdiction over the matter. I have no problem signing under these circumstances. But when a country does the exact opposite, then yes, I have a problem agreeing to that kind of sale.”

Sale of F-35 in Greece

Continuing, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee revealed that two days ago he gave the green light for the sale of the F-35 in Greece. The committee’s Republican vice chairman, Jim Reese, and the chairman and vice chairman of the corresponding House committee (Michael McCaul, Gregory Meeks) must also agree under the process. When this consent is secured, then the US government will officially notify Congress of the sale of F-35s to Greece and from there the prescribed procedure for the ratification of the defense contract will be followed.

“I am satisfied because two days ago, I signed the request for F-35s to Greece. I did it not because I am a fan of the Greek people. I did it because this is a country that shares our values ​​and is aligned 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,” Mr. Menendez emphasized.

The New American Strategy for the Eastern Mediterranean

The senator underlined him strategic character of the eastern Mediterranean, saying the US would need to have a specific agenda for the region even under a scenario that would want Turkey to behave as an ideal ally. In this light, he also referred to the landmark bill for the Eastern Mediterranean (East Med Act), which gave a new impetus to American involvement in the region.

As he pointed out, “even if Turkey under Erdogan was the Turkey we would like it to be, a secular state with strong NATO values, with which we would share our values ​​of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, still and then we would need a strategy for the eastern Mediterranean. And so, what I tried to do with the bill that became law, was to convince the American governments to see the eastern Mediterranean through a different dynamic, a dynamic that creates economic opportunities, a dynamic that unlocks the energy fields of Greece, the Cyprus, as well as Israel. A dynamic through which a stronger security relationship can exist.”

Satisfaction for the Lifting of the Arms Sale Embargo in Cyprus

Mr. Menendez expressed his satisfaction with the lifting the arms embargo in Cyprus, recognizing at the same time that the Republic of Cyprus has taken significant steps to limit Russian influence. “I am satisfied when I see that with my encouragement and helpwe lifted the arms embargo, not because Cyprus is going to buy a ton of offensive or defensive equipment, but because it was very important to recognize Cyprus’ right to do so. As well as the fact that Cyprus did many important things, including the ban on the docking of Russian ships. And this happened before the invasion,” the senator stressed.

Concerning elections in Cyprus, Bob Menendez said he knows both candidates, stressing that the Cypriot people will decide who will be their leader. In any case, he argued that the positive trajectory of the bilateral relationship will continue based on 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’ve been working on, like the Eastern Mediterranean Strategy Bill and the energy and defense effort at cross-parliamentary level, and the high-level talks between the three countries, all of that will continue and I don’t see any difference at the end of the day “, he noted characteristically.

The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee put targeting and continuing the illegal occupation of Cyprus, calling on the US government to take a stronger stance and work with the EU to put pressure on Ankara. As he pointed out, “what is unacceptable is that for almost half a century the most militarized place in the world is the northern part of the Republic of Cyprus. The place which has been invaded and occupied, which has a disproportionate number of Turkish troops compared to any security which may be needed. If nothing else, it has offensive capabilities against the Republic of Cyprus. And more recent actions by Erdogan regarding Famagusta, which violates the UN Security Council resolution. The EU must participate by criticizing this attitude. We need to do a more intense job. The EU should call on Turkey to change course. As I have said, as long as I remain a United States senator I will work until that day comes when the last boot of the last Turkish soldier leaves northern Cyprus.”