Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the European Union countries need his country to save them from the “deadlock” they face on political, economic and defence matters. Turkiye’s full membership of the bloc would throw a “lifeline” to the EU’s “rapidly aging economy and work force,” he added in a speech after chairing a government meeting in Ankara on Monday evening.
“The earlier that the EU faces these realities, the better it will be for them,” said Erdogan. “As always, we are eager to advance our membership process based on mutual benefit and respect, with a constructive approach.”
The Turkish president pointed out that results can be achieved in a short time if the necessary will is shown. For this purpose, he noted, the European Union and the countries that lead it should not continue insisting on “mistakes”.
Turkiye has been seeking full membership in the EU for decades, but the Turkish efforts have faced many obstacles. This has often prompted Ankara to work on building partnerships with the East with the aim of building new alliances aside from its traditional Western allies.