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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday said the European Union needs Türkiye more than Türkiye needs the bloc, as he urged Brussels to avoid actions and rhetoric that could undermine Ankara’s "constructive stance."
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Erdogan pushed back against what he described as the EU’s persistent "strategic myopia," arguing that the bloc continues to misread Türkiye’s role and value.
"Türkiye is no longer the old Türkiye," Erdogan said, stressing that global dynamics have shifted beyond the traditional sphere of Western influence.
Casting the debate in terms of Europe’s long-term direction, Erdogan argued that the issue is not where Ankara stands, but how Brussels defines its own future.
The EU cannot become a global actor or a center of attraction without Türkiye as a full member, he noted, stressing that Türkiye’s EU membership bid, ongoing since 1959, continues to face bias and structural resistance, with recent talks failing to break the deadlock or revive momentum.
He argued that longstanding prejudices in parts of Europe have shaped the process, emphasizing that Ankara continues to pursue full membership despite these challenges while maintaining engagement with EU institutions.
Erdogan also framed Türkiye as a key actor in an emerging multipolar world, urging Europe to view Ankara’s growing influence as an opportunity rather than a threat, warning that exclusionary rhetoric could further weaken the bloc.
"The winner of such a relationship will be the European continent, of which Türkiye is an inseparable part," he stated.
Although Erdogan did not directly address her, the remarks came after earlier statements by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who warned against the continent "falling under the influence of Russia, Türkiye or China."
Europe must "complete the European continent" to avoid external influence, she asserted during a summit in late April.
Her statement prompted a swift reaction from Ankara, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan calling the remarks "unfortunate."
"We have had the necessary communications, so I think we have fixed it," Fidan said.
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