Ankara, December 17, 2024 – The Europe Today: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a stronger and more institutionalised relationship with the European Union, reiterating Türkiye’s commitment to its goal of EU membership as a candidate country.
Erdogan’s remarks were made during a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on Tuesday. The meeting underscored the need for pragmatic steps to advance Türkiye-EU relations, which have faced challenges in recent years.
The Turkish leader expressed optimism for the EU to take concrete measures, particularly in updating the Customs Union agreement and accelerating visa processes for Turkish citizens, with the aim of achieving full visa liberalisation.
“Our relations with the EU should not be held hostage by the narrow agenda of certain member states,” Erdogan stated, calling for a more pragmatic and inclusive approach to strengthening ties.
Türkiye’s EU membership negotiations began in 2005 but reached an impasse after 2007, primarily due to the unresolved Cyprus issue and political opposition from some member states.
On regional issues, Erdogan emphasised the importance of maintaining Syria’s territorial integrity and fostering an inclusive administration in the conflict-ridden country.
“We have seen that we share a common understanding on the preservation of Syria’s territorial integrity and the establishment of a participatory administration,” Erdogan said, referencing his discussions with von der Leyen.
Highlighting Türkiye’s role in regional security, Erdogan noted that Türkiye remains the only NATO ally to have successfully defeated both the PKK and Daesh on the battlefield.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, for her part, recognised Türkiye’s legitimate security concerns in Syria while reaffirming the EU’s continued humanitarian support for the war-torn nation.
“The EU’s support must be realised with a new focus, and we need to concentrate on reconstruction,” von der Leyen stated, stressing the importance of shifting efforts towards rebuilding Syria. She further highlighted the EU’s role as the largest donor to Syria, underscoring the bloc’s commitment to long-term recovery and stability in the region.
The joint press conference reflected a mutual willingness to address longstanding challenges and explore opportunities for renewed cooperation between Türkiye and the EU.
