“Planning all steps for European security together with Türkiye will be in our mutual interest”

 

Addressing an online meeting organized by the European Union, President Erdoğan said: “We are of the opinion that planning all steps for European security together with Türkiye will be in our mutual interest.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at an online meeting organized by the European Union.

President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye has exerted intensive and sincere efforts since day one to end the Russia-Ukraine war through dialogue.

“WE STRONGLY SUPPORT UKRAINE’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY”

Re-emphasizing that a just peace has no losers, President Erdoğan underscored Türkiye’s strong support for the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine, Ankara’s strategic ally, and went on: “Today as well, we draw attention to the importance of a solid foundation whereby both of the warring parties are present at the table for a just, permanent, and honorable peace. We advocate for an immediate declaration of ceasefire, as well as the idea of the cessation of aerial and maritime aggression as a confidence-building measure.”

“EUROPEAN SECURITY IS NOT A MATTER THAT CONCERNS ONLY EU MEMBER STATES”

Noting that efforts to reach an agreement that would ensure the safety of maritime navigation in the Black Sea are in alignment with Türkiye’s aforementioned approach, President Erdoğan said: “Considering our defense industry’s support for Ukraine and our private sector’s refusal to leave the country despite war circumstances, there can be no justification for Türkiye’s exclusion from EU’s defense procurements and reconstruction schemes. Our shared interests necessitate the EU to rectify this stance. European security is not a matter that concerns only EU member states. This issue concerns all the European allies.” 

“EUROPEAN DEFENSE INDUSTRY PROGRAMME SHOULD BE OPEN TO ALL EUROPEAN ALLIES”

Expressing his wish for this meeting to be a manifestation of a realistic and comprehensive approach, President Erdoğan said: “We are of the opinion that planning all steps for European security together with Türkiye will be in our mutual interest. In all these efforts, it is undoubtedly important to protect the transatlantic connection as much as possible and to receive a strong support from the U.S., our ally. With its advanced technology, our defense industry stands ready to contribute to the efforts that are aimed at achieving a stronger defense. I believe that the European defense industry programme, conducted by the EU, should be open to all European allies. It is important for us to be included in such mechanisms as the European Peace Facility that are aimed at Ukraine’s reconstruction and revitalization.”

“WE STRONGLY PRESERVE OUR GOAL OF FULL MEMBERSHIP TO THE EU”

Pointing out that approaching the Türkiye-EU relations with a long-term and strategic perspective will be in the best interest of both sides, President Erdoğan said: “We strongly preserve our goal of full membership to the EU. We expect the EU to adopt a strategic and visionary stance and, accordingly, our relations to be revived without delay. I hope that we can hold all high-level strategic meetings together as soon as possible. Before concluding my remarks, I would like to underline that we stand ready to provide all sorts of contributions, which include hosting peace negotiations, for the establishment of a just, lasting and honorable peace in Ukraine. I hope our meeting will yield outcomes that contribute to peace and stability.”