Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday emphasized the need for closer defense cooperation in Europe, citing the continent’s evolving security environment.
Speaking at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ankara, Erdogan said Europe must overcome past challenges in defense industry supply and focus on collaborative projects, The Caspian Post reports, citing Turkish media.
"In light of changing security conditions in Europe, we need to move past the difficulties previously encountered in the supply of defense industry products and focus on joint projects," Erdogan said.
Emphasizing that Ankara welcomed Berlin’s recent positive steps in this field, such as the procurement process of Eurofighter aircraft, Erdogan noted that, given the momentum Türkiye has gained in the defense industry, there are extensive opportunities for cooperation with Germany.
He added that this collaboration could be further strengthened on a "win-win basis."
Erdogan said Ankara could make rapid progress toward full EU membership if the bloc recognizes the country’s shown determination.
"If Türkiye’s determined stance on this issue receives the recognition it deserves within the bloc, significant progress could be achieved in a very short time," he said.
If Türkiye is assessed by the Copenhagen Criteria, Ankara has its own "Ankara Criteria," which guide its engagement with Europe and world, he added.
“As of now, we feel comfortable and at ease regarding these approaches in Türkiye. We have always maintained that the Copenhagen Criteria do not represent a negative process for us.
"Through the Ankara Criteria, we open ourselves to Europe and the world. Türkiye is not an ordinary European or Asian country, it is a democracy that effectively implements this process across Europe, Asia, and globally, and there is no issue on this matter," he further said.
Expressing his happiness hosting Merz and his delegation in Türkiye, Erdogan said that the meeting had addressed bilateral ties and global issues on a common ground as "two close NATO allies."
Considering the developments in our region and the world, I believe the strategic importance of Türkiye-EU relations will become better understood," he further added.
Stating that today marks the 64th anniversary of the Labor Agreement signed by Türkiye and Germany, Erdogan said that those who went to Germany 64 years ago significantly contributed to Germany's development in every field, and noted that their population today has grown to 3.5 million.
Erdogan also said he reaffirmed that the Turkish community in Germany is "our shared value and richness."
During the meeting with Merz, Erdogan said he underlined the importance Türkiye attaches to "combating rising racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia in Europe."
