Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the future architecture of Europe will remain incomplete without Turkey and called on the European Union to develop ties with Ankara from the perspective of full membership, UNN reports, citing Hürriyet Daily News.
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In his message on the occasion of Europe Day on May 9, Erdoğan said that this day symbolizes not only the European Union but also the goal of building a common future on the continent based on peace, cooperation, and mutual respect.
He noted that the principles upon which the foundations of the EU were laid 76 years ago are undergoing numerous crises, including wars, political challenges, and economic difficulties.
These events make it necessary for the EU to pursue a more inclusive and unifying policy, Erdoğan said.
"Turkey, as a candidate country for the European Union, remains an important and indispensable part of this process," he said.
Erdoğan stated that it is obvious: a European architecture in which Turkey does not take its deserved place will be "incomplete" and will face weaknesses in crisis management.
"As we have said before, the European Union needs Turkey more than Turkey needs the Union, and this need will only grow in the future," he said.
Turkey seeks to develop relations with the EU based on full membership, loyalty to commitments, and a mutually beneficial approach, Erdoğan stated, adding that Ankara expects the same sincere will from the bloc.
Erdoğan also expressed hope that Europe Day would contribute to peace, stability, and solidarity in the shared territory, congratulating the citizens of Turkey and the peoples of Europe.