Athens/Anadolu

Greek newspaper 'Kathimerini' reported that the recent rapprochement in defense relations between Turkey and Egypt has raised concerns in Greece.

The newspaper stated in a report titled 'Turkey and Egypt Closer in Defense' that the head of the Turkish Defense Industries Agency, Haluk Görgün, met on July 13 with Egyptian Minister of Defense and Military Production Ashraf Salem Zaher.

It touched upon the letter of intent signed by both sides, which would outline a framework for cooperation in the defense industry.

The newspaper pointed out that the Egyptian minister also held a series of meetings in Turkey on defense industry cooperation, adding that Cairo seeks to become a center for the production of Turkish drones, which are among the top exports of the Turkish defense industry.

It added that Turkey and Egypt have conducted joint military exercises involving air, naval, and ground forces, noting the importance of the quadrilateral meeting hosted by Egypt with the participation of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, which saw agreement between Ankara and Cairo on a number of files, foremost of which was the Libyan file.

Turkish Defense Industries Head Discusses Cooperation Opportunities with Egyptian Defense Minister

The newspaper said: 'The rapprochement between Turkey and Egypt does not pose a direct threat to Greek interests at present, but it represents a factor that raises further concern amid the turmoil in the geopolitical balances in the region.'

On Monday, Turkish Defense Industries Agency head Haluk Görgün discussed with Egyptian Minister of Defense and Military Production Ashraf Salem Zaher opportunities for cooperation in the defense industry and ways to develop joint capabilities between the two countries, and the two sides signed a letter of intent outlining their framework for cooperation in the coming period.

The two countries also signed a letter of intent for bilateral cooperation in the defense field at the conclusion of talks in Ankara between Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and his Egyptian counterpart.

The Egyptian army announced on Sunday that Defense Minister Ashraf Salem Zaher left for Turkey at the head of a military delegation to hold talks on enhancing prospects for military cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries in several areas, without specifying the duration of the visit, amid increasing Egyptian-Turkish cooperation on various fronts.

Last June, the Turkish and Egyptian air forces conducted joint military exercises hosted by Egypt.