ISTANBUL

Türkiye and Greece next week will hold a new round of confidence-building measures meetings hosted by the Greek side, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said Thursday.

"A new round of confidence-building measures meetings between the delegations of Türkiye and Greece will be held in Thessaloniki on April 28-29," ministry spokesman Zeki Akturk told reporters at a briefing in the capital Ankara.

Akturk added that in line with a plan agreed on during a meeting in Istanbul last November, "a delegation from our Land Forces Command will visit the Greek Land Forces Command on April 28-29."

"The Turkish Armed Forces, one of the most effective militaries in the world, continues to make significant contributions to global security, peace, and stability across a wide geography, thanks to its superior operational experience, high combat capability, and modern equipment," he added.

The confidence-building talks come amid broader regional developments involving defense procurement, the Cyprus issue, and Syria.

Response to Greek Cypriot archbishop

In a reaction to recent comments by the archbishop of the Greek Cypriot Administration, ministry sources said his remarks reflected an extreme mindset that only undermines peace efforts on the island.

"The archbishop’s statements … are among the clearest manifestations of the discriminatory, fanatical, and provocative mindset that has long caused deadlock on the island of Cyprus," the sources said.

"Cyprus has never been a Greek island. Plans based on such views are impossible to implement and will not be allowed."

They said the archbishop’s approach in question undermines prospects for peace and constructive dialogue by overlooking historical facts and misrepresenting both the current dynamics on the island and Türkiye’s role there.

They added that such a stance neglects international legal norms and humanitarian principles, while posing a threat to the rights and security of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Calling for dialogue, the ministry urged the Greek Cypriot Administration "to act with reason instead of a language of violence and hostility, and to contribute to a solution based on the sovereign equality of the two peoples” on the island, the Turks and the Greeks.

"It should be remembered that the current peace on the island of Cyprus exists thanks to Türkiye,” he added, referring to its 1974 Peace Operation, launched to stop ethnic violence on the island driven by a misguided effort to make it part of Greece.

"Türkiye will not hesitate to use the powers granted to it by its guarantor status against activities by the Greek Cypriot Administration that threaten the security of the Turkish Cypriots and the peace and stability on the island."

Cooperation in Syria

On Syria, ministry sources emphasized the importance of a regional consensus in the fight against terrorism.

"The assets and resources of Syria belong to the Syrian people," the sources said, confirming that talks are ongoing regarding the transfer of the Tishrin Dam to Syria’s new government.

Following a regional ministerial meeting hosted by Jordan on March 9, Türkiye, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon agreed to establish a joint operations center to combat terrorist threats, especially from ISIS (Daesh), according to the sources.

Technical meetings with the participation of all relevant countries are currently underway on the planned establishment of a joint operations center in Syria.

Eurofighter procurement

Addressing media reports that Germany had blocked the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Türkiye, ministry sources said; "Negotiations for the sale of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to our country are being conducted with the UK. So far, we have had no negotiations with Germany.

"The process is proceeding smoothly as planned with British government officials and representatives from the manufacturing company."