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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday criticized the European Union’s approach to Türkiye’s long-standing bid to join the bloc, saying Ankara has consistently sought full membership but has been held back by political obstacles.
Speaking in an interview with Portugal’s public broadcaster RTP, Fidan said Türkiye’s failure to fully integrate with the EU represents a historic missed opportunity for both sides, arguing that closer cooperation could have produced far-reaching strategic benefits.
Describing EU-Türkiye relations as “historic,” Fidan said the two sides structurally complement one another.
He pointed to Türkiye’s dynamic economy, young population, advanced defense industry and strategic geographic position, saying that integrating Türkiye’s military capacity and regional influence with the EU could have created a historic partnership benefiting not only Europe and Türkiye but also the wider region.
Fidan said that while the EU has succeeded in establishing a supranational structure, it has not managed to become a true civilizational union.
He added that the current global environment requires unity and integrity that transcend civilizations, allowing different cultures to contribute collectively rather than compete.
Turning to Gaza, Fidan said the international community must maintain sustained pressure to ensure the uninterrupted entry of sufficient humanitarian aid, including food and shelter, especially as winter conditions worsen.
He said that although a fragile ceasefire is in place and limited aid has been allowed into Gaza, this remains insufficient.
Allowing civilians to face hunger, displacement and exposure, he said, is morally unacceptable.
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Addressing the war between Russia and Ukraine, Fidan said Türkiye supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity and security but has long maintained that the conflict can only be resolved through dialogue, a ceasefire and diplomacy.
He said the war has gone beyond a bilateral confrontation, deepening political and economic divisions, triggering energy and food crises and contributing to broader global instability.
Fidan said Türkiye supports peace initiatives, including efforts by the Trump administration, noting that Ankara’s long-standing mediation role aligns with diplomatic shuttle efforts aimed at bringing the parties together.
He added that Türkiye remains the only country capable of engaging both sides at the negotiating table and said Ankara would continue to do everything possible to help end what he described as a meaningless and destructive war.
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