EU appoints first military advisor to Turkey

The European Union appointed a military advisor for its mission in Turkey for the first time earlier this month, a western official with knowledge of the matter told Middle East Eye. 

According to the official, the move followed ongoing discussions in Brussels about Turkey's role within the broader European security architecture. 

European countries such as Germany have been advocating for a more strategic dialogue with Turkey on defence issues, including cooperation in building defence industry production capabilities - particularly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

TurDef, a Turkish news outlet specialising in defence issues, reported that the EU has appointed Colonel Adam Grzymkowski, formerly Poland's defence attaché in Ankara, as military advisor to the head of the EU delegation in Turkey. 

The western official added that, under the principle of reciprocity, Turkey will also be able to appoint a Turkish defence advisor to its mission to the EU in Brussels.

Both advisors will operate under diplomatic status rather than through formal military channels. 

EU-Turkey military ties

Since last year, the EU has been working to strengthen dialogue with Ankara, as high-level visits and coordination meetings between the two have increased.

Europe increasingly recognises that it needs Turkey's cooperation in countering Russia. 

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A senior bureaucrat working within the German government agency responsible for equipping the Bundeswehr, the BAAINBw, told DW Turkish last week that Berlin must deepen its defence partnership with Turkey. 

“Turkey should certainly begin a democratisation process. But at the end of the day, we don't have many options. The US is also deporting people and using violence in the streets. Should we say, ‘We won't buy your weapons anymore?’” the German official said. 

The military official added that Germany "definitely needs to take a close look" at Turkish military drones, noting that Turkey is "quite advanced" in this field. 

"In terms of market analysis and cooperation opportunities, Turkey is certainly a player worth engaging. Contacts on this matter need to be established as soon as possible, and the issue must be closely examined," the official added. 

The western official speaking to MEE also said that the EU intends to appoint a diplomat responsible for sanctions compliance, focusing specifically on Russia's so-called "black fleet", which transports sanctioned oil. 

Turkey cut its Russian oil imports in October following fresh US sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector introduced the previous month.