World News
Recep Tayyip Erdogan Urges Europe to Drop “Prejudices” Against Turkey, Pushes for European Union Membership
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has renewed his call for stronger ties between Turkey and the European Union, urging European leaders to set aside what he described as “political and historical prejudices” and move forward on Ankara’s long-standing EU membership bid.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has renewed his call for stronger ties between Turkey and the European Union, urging European leaders to set aside what he described as “political and historical prejudices” and move forward on Ankara’s long-standing EU membership bid.
In a strongly worded message shared on the social media platform X, Erdogan emphasized that Europe is currently at a critical turning point. He argued that without Turkey’s inclusion, the EU risks losing its ability to emerge as a true global power.
“An EU without Turkey as a full member cannot become a global actor or a centre of attraction,” Erdogan stated, highlighting Ankara’s strategic importance in shaping Europe’s future.
🇹🇷 Turkey’s Strategic Importance Highlighted
Erdogan made it clear that Turkey should not be treated as a partner only during times of crisis. “We are not a country to be remembered only in times of distress and ignored otherwise,” he said, signaling frustration over what Ankara perceives as inconsistent engagement from European leaders.
He further stressed that Europe’s reliance on Turkey is likely to grow in the coming years, particularly in areas such as security, migration, and regional stability.
🇪🇺 EU-Turkey Relations at a Standstill
Turkey’s journey toward EU membership dates back decades. The country first applied to join the bloc in 1987 and was officially recognized as a candidate by the European Union in 1999. However, progress has remained slow and complex.
In 2018, the European Commission noted that accession talks had effectively stalled. The decision was linked to concerns over democratic backsliding, judicial independence, and human rights issues within Turkey.
⚖️ Call for “Equal and Genuine” Relations
Erdogan urged European policymakers to rethink their approach and focus on building a relationship based on equality and mutual respect.
“Our hope is that Europe will abandon its prejudices and work toward sincere, genuine, and equal relations with Turkey,” he said.
