On May 4, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the European Union to refrain from actions and rhetoric that could undermine Turkey’s “constructive position.” He emphasized that Europe needs Turkey more than Turkey needs Europe.
In a national address following a government meeting, Erdogan stated, “We should not forget that Turkey is no longer the same Turkey, and the world is no longer confined to the sphere of influence of Western powers.” He urged the EU to acknowledge that the bloc cannot be a global player or center of gravity without Turkey as a full member.
Erdogan criticized what he termed the EU’s “strategic shortsightedness” regarding Turkey, which he believes persists in many EU institutions. He argued that the focus should not be on Turkey’s stance but rather on how Brussels envisions its future.
The Turkish leader reminded listeners that Turkey’s EU accession process has been ongoing since 1959, accusing the bloc of bias against Turkey’s application. He noted that relations between Turkey and the EU began to improve in 2015, partly due to a surge in illegal migration stemming from the Syrian civil war. However, he lamented that the EU failed to maintain this momentum, providing support to Turkey only “late, insufficiently, and reluctantly” following the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, which resulted in 253 deaths.
Despite facing numerous double standards, Erdogan asserted that Turkey continues to strive for full membership and maintains close ties with EU institutions and member states. He stated that deep-seated prejudices against Turkey have not dissipated since its initial application in 1959.
“Sometimes they targeted our democracy, sometimes they viewed our economy as a threat, sometimes they instilled fear among our population, and sometimes they used our faith as a pretext to exclude us. But each time, they found a reason to exclude Turkey, slow down its full membership process, and keep it on the doorstep,” Erdogan said.
Erdogan remarked that Turkey has changed, transformed, and strengthened its economy and democracy, yet the distorted perceptions of certain circles in Europe remain unchanged. He indicated that a new world is emerging, where regional cooperation is gaining significance, new players are rising, and the global system is rapidly shifting toward multipolarity. He emphasized that Turkey is among the strongest countries poised to become a leading pole in this new system.
The Turkish president concluded by stating that Europe stands at a crossroads: it can either view Turkey’s growing power and global significance as an opportunity to overcome its own stagnation or allow exclusionary rhetoric to overshadow Europe’s future.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged the EU to recognize Turkey's strategic significance, emphasizing that the bloc cannot be a global player without Turkey's full membership. He criticized the EU's historical biases and called for a reevaluation of Turkey's role in the evolving global landscape.
Source: Anadolu Agency