Istanbul (Turkiye Khabar) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has urged the European Union to avoid actions and statements that could undermine Turkey’s “positive and constructive stance,” and instead recognize and appreciate it.
In a televised address to the nation following a cabinet meeting, he said that Turkey is no longer the old Turkey, and the world is no longer limited to Western influence alone.
He emphasized that the EU must accept the reality that without Turkey’s full membership, it cannot become an effective global power or an attractive center of influence.
Erdoğan said that a “strategic short-sightedness” regarding Turkey still exists within various EU institutions.
According to him, the real issue is not where Turkey stands, but how Brussels views its own future. He stated that Europe needs Turkey just as much as Turkey needs Europe, and this mutual need will only increase in the future.
He recalled that Turkey’s EU membership process has been ongoing since 1959 and that discriminatory attitudes have been observed at various stages.
Erdoğan noted that relations improved in 2015 due to the refugee crisis following the Syrian conflict, but after the failed coup attempt in 2016, the European Union did not provide the expected level of cooperation.
Despite all challenges, he said Turkey remains committed to its goal of full EU membership and continues to maintain contact with European institutions.
