"Turkey is not the Turkey of the past": Erdoğan warns the European Union

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the European Union to reconsider its rhetoric and political approach towards Ankara. He announced this in his address to the nation following a Cabinet meeting, as reported by the Anadolu Agency.

 

Erdogan emphasized that the European Union should refrain from statements and actions that could undermine Turkey's "constructive stance." In his view, Brussels should support Ankara's positive approach.

 

"It must not be forgotten that Turkey is no longer the Turkey of the past, and the world is no longer limited to the sphere of influence of Western states," the President said.

 

Erdogan stressed that the European Union cannot become a global power center without Turkey, noting that "strategic blindness" still persists in some institutions of the bloc. According to him, the issue lies not in Turkey's position, but in how Brussels sees itself in the future.

 

The Turkish leader recalled that the EU accession process has been ongoing since 1959, noting that Ankara has faced many unfair approaches along this path. Nevertheless, he stated that Turkey has not abandoned its goal of full membership.

 

Erdogan also said that from 2015 onward, a somewhat positive dynamic was observed in Turkey-EU relations, but this process slowed down after the 2016 coup attempt.

 

According to him, the world is transitioning to a multipolar system, and Turkey has the potential to become one of the leading centers in this new global structure.

 

The President emphasized that the European Union faces a choice, stating that whether it sees Turkey as an opportunity or continues an exclusionary approach will determine Europe's future.

 

Erdogan called on decision-makers in Europe to abandon historical and political stereotypes and establish equal and sincere relations with Turkey.