Fidan Calls Israel-Greece-Cyprus Pact a Military Alliance Against Muslims as Macron Heads to Athens
By Bosphorus News Geopolitics Desk
Fidan's Antalya Statement
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on April 19 that the defense agreements between Israel, Greece and the Republic of Cyprus constitute "a military alliance against Muslim countries in the region." Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in southern Türkiye, Fidan said Ankara had received no assurances, before or after the trilateral arrangement was founded, that it was not directed at Türkiye. "No one has given assurances to us that this wasn't an initiative against us before or after its founding," he said.
Fidan said no other European country had taken comparable steps toward Israel and implied Athens was not being fully transparent about the nature of the cooperation. He said Türkiye's reaction had remained "minimal" to preserve the spirit of bilateral Turkish-Greek dialogue, and framed Ankara's concurrent outreach to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt as an effort to promote stability rather than build a counter-bloc.
Greece's Foreign Ministry responded the same day. In an official statement, it said Greece "owes explanations to no one" regarding its foreign policy choices and that its cooperation with Israel and Cyprus is directed at peace and stability, not against any third country.
Macron in Athens, April 24-25
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to arrive in Athens on April 24. The central item is the renewal of the France-Greece Strategic Partnership Agreement on Defense and Security Cooperation, a mutual assistance pact originally signed in September 2021. The Elysée Palace confirmed the visit on April 20.
The renewal is expected to run for five years with an automatic extension clause. The two sides are also set to sign a separate agreement on defense technology and innovation cooperation, with the Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation and France's Agence de l'innovation de défense as the contracting parties. Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will also discuss maritime security and the Strait of Hormuz.
The 2021 pact committed France and Greece to provide military assistance, including armed force if necessary, in the event of an attack on either country. It was accompanied by Greece's purchase of Belharra-class frigates and Rafale fighter jets. The first Belharra frigate, the Kimon, was delivered earlier this year and has already deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Trilateral Military Track
The Israel-Greece-Cyprus cooperation framework Fidan targeted has been formalizing steadily. In late 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Jerusalem. The three leaders signed a joint declaration committing to reinforce trilateral cooperation on security, defense and military matters. In early 2026, the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that a joint military work plan for the year had been signed in Cyprus, covering joint exercises, training and strategic dialogue. The IDF said the agreement was led by Brigadier General Amit Adler, head of the IDF's International Cooperation Division.
Discussions on a rapid-reaction force of approximately 2,500 personnel drawn from all three countries have been reported, though no formal announcement has been made.
Fidan's April 19 remarks represent the most direct public framing Ankara has yet used for the arrangement. Previous Turkish statements focused on bilateral Greek-Turkish disputes. The shift to a Muslim world framing is a first in broadening of the diplomatic contest.
***Sources: Reuters, Middle East Eye, Cyprus Mail, Greek Reporter, Protothema English, Elysée Palace statement April 20, 2026, Jerusalem Post, IDF statement.