Ankara is seeking to deepen its relationship with the European Union through a renewed push for full membership, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, as the bloc grapples with one of its most pressing security challenges in recent history.
“We want to advance our relations with the European Union on the basis of common interests and mutual respect and with an approach focused on full membership. We would like to remind them once more that Turkey is the last exit before the bridge,” Erdoğan stated in a speech following a cabinet meeting on March 10.
The Turkish leader called on European leaders to recognize Ankara’s strategic significance in an increasingly volatile global landscape and urged them to tailor their policies accordingly.
Turkey’s Role in European Security
Erdoğan’s remarks came in the wake of a videoconference meeting with EU officials on March 7, where discussions focused on European security, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The EU has recently accelerated its military buildup efforts, following concerns raised by comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that Washington might reconsider its longstanding security commitments to Europe.
In this evolving security environment, Turkey has positioned itself as a key player within NATO, boasting the alliance’s second-largest army. Erdoğan emphasized that the EU is facing one of its greatest security tests in recent times, and Ankara’s diplomatic stance has gained greater appreciation.
“The significance of Turkey’s balanced, consistent, and principled approach since the beginning of the [Ukraine-Russia] war is now being better understood. We have repeatedly stressed that lasting peace cannot be achieved without the involvement of both Russia and Ukraine,” Erdoğan said.
Poland Looks to Turkey for Security Cooperation
Adding to the growing recognition of Turkey’s role in European security, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently announced plans to visit Ankara to discuss how the two countries can cooperate in strengthening regional defense.
Tusk highlighted Poland’s need for “non-standard formats” to reinforce its defense capabilities and identified Turkey as a critical partner in these efforts.
“All indications suggest that Turkey is ready for this,” Tusk noted, confirming that upcoming talks will center on Ankara’s potential contributions to European security initiatives.
As the EU navigates an uncertain security landscape, Erdoğan’s call for closer ties underscores Turkey’s strategic leverage. Whether this renewed push will translate into tangible advancements in Turkey’s long-stalled EU accession process remains to be seen.
