“Only through Türkiye’s full membership can the EU prevent its loss of strength”
Speaking during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Tusk of Poland, President Erdoğan said: “We often share our desire with our counterparts to advance our cooperation with the European Union on the basis of mutual interest and respect. Current debates have once again proven how crucial this cooperation is. If the European Union seeks to prevent, and even reverse, its loss of strength and altitude, it can only achieve this through the full membership of Türkiye.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland hold a joint press conference following their bilateral meeting at the Presidential Complex.
Stating that they have reaffirmed their will to strengthen and diversify the Türkiye-Poland relations during today’s talks, President Erdoğan said: “We have addressed the common steps we will take to that end. We are considering visiting Poland in the period ahead. We have a strong potential in social relations and cooperation in the areas of trade, investments and defense. We have discussed all these in detail today. We have had opportunity to address the steps that could be taken to end the war in Ukraine. We have exchanged our views on the developments about Europe’s security and regional matters, including Syria and Palestine.”
“WE ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO THE SOLUTION OF THE VISA PROBLEM OF OUR CITIZENS”
Noting that they have discussed the future of security in Europe as well, President Erdoğan said: “We have addressed the efforts aimed at strengthening the defense industry cooperation, which is rapidly developing between our countries with new projects. Consolidating our relations in a wide range of areas, from education and culture to science and tourism, would be an important investment to be made in the future of our friendship. We attach importance to the solution of the visa problem of our citizens, our business people and students in particular.”
“FULL MEMBERSHIP TO THE EU IS OUR STRATEGIC GOAL”
Further stating that they have also discussed current regional and global matters as well as the Türkiye-EU relations within the context of Poland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, President Erdoğan said: “We stress on every occasion that the full membership to the European Union is our strategic goal. We often share our desire with our counterparts to advance our cooperation with the European Union on the basis of mutual interest and respect. Current debates have once again proven how crucial this cooperation is. I would like to point out once again today that if the European Union seeks to prevent, and even reverse, its loss of strength and altitude, it can only achieve this through the full membership of Türkiye.”
“WE DO NOT WANT ANY FURTHER BLOODSHED”
“The latest situation in the Russia-Ukraine war has been on the agenda of our talks as well,” President Erdoğan stated, and added: “We consider Ukraine’s acceptance of ceasefire during yesterday’s talks between the U.S. and Ukraine to be positive and important. And now we wish that Russia will respond to this in a constructive manner. Türkiye’s attitude towards this war has been pretty obvious since the very first day. We do not want any further bloodshed. We want our two neighbors to end the war with a just peace. If the latest development ensures the return of Russia and Ukraine to the negotiation table, we stand ready to make any contribution to the establishment of a just and permanent peace, including hosting the talks. As I have previously stated, our region is fed up with wars, conflicts and tears. We hope that our region will rapidly leave behind the difficult situation it has been in for a long time, and find peace and stability. Türkiye will inshallah continue to work to that end.”
