Greece will back whatever decision Cyprus makes on joining NATO, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said on Tuesday.
Speaking alongside Germany’s Johann Wadephul, he said NATO expansion strengthens resilience and solidarity. He also linked European Union security to developments in the Middle East, noting that Greece is already supporting Cyprus through defence assistance.
However, he stressed that Greece does not plan to become involved in the ongoing regional war and urged the European Union to respond effectively to mounting crises. He added that recent years—since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—have pushed the bloc to become more strategically autonomous and competitive.
The prospect of Cyprus joining NATO has divided opinion in Greece. Former prime minister Alexis Tsipras warned it could create new risks, despite backing defence support for Cyprus after recent drone incidents. He also cautioned against portraying Greece as a guarantor power or escalating military commitments, arguing that regional conflict should instead renew efforts toward a unified Cyprus without foreign troops.
Others take the opposite view. Former European Commission vice president Margaritis Schinas said NATO membership would strengthen stability, noting that Cyprus is the only frontline country in the region outside the alliance.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides has described NATO membership as a “natural development” but acknowledged that Turkey would likely block any application while the Cyprus dispute remains unresolved. In the meantime, he said Cyprus is working to align its military with NATO standards and deepen ties with Western partners.
Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos has said the debate is premature, with the government focused on improving compatibility with NATO allies such as Greece and France.
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