Turkish foreign minister criticizes Greece, Cyprus, and Israel cooperation

During the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in April 2026, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accused Greece, Cyprus, and Israel of forming a military alliance targeting Muslim nations in the region. Fidan claimed this cooperation creates a clear security threat for Turkey and other regional countries. He asserted that Israel is using security concerns as a pretext to expand its territory into Lebanon, Syria, and Palestinian lands. While criticizing the trilateral partnership, Fidan noted that Turkey has maintained a restrained stance due to ongoing negotiation processes with Greece. He rejected claims that Turkey's own regional outreach efforts constitute a similar military bloc. The minister emphasized that while Turkey is capable of self-defense, other smaller nations in the region view the Israeli-Greek-Cypriot partnership with concern. Sources from the Cyprus News Agency and the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation reported these statements on April 20, 2026.