Turkey’s accession to the European Union “is no longer a priority” for Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, arguing that Europe would end up being “the loser” from this outcome.
In an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic’s “Al Muqabala” program, the Turkish president touched on a range of pressing topics, from relations with the EU and the F-35 fighter jets to the new Mecca defense pact, Egypt, the Strait of Hormuz, Syria, and Gaza.
Europe The Loser
According to Turkey’s NTV, Erdogan said the EU doesn’t appear willing to accept Turkey as a full member. He said EU membership is no longer high on Ankara’s agenda, adding that Europe shows no real intention of admitting Turkey and that if this path doesn’t move forward, “Europe will be the loser.”
On the matter of American F-35 fighter jets, he said, “I got a promise from Trump on the F-35s. I’m waiting for it to be kept.”
On The Mecca Agreement
The Turkish president also addressed the joint defense agreement signed on August 7 by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan in Mecca, which states that an armed attack on any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack on all of them. He said the agreement “sent an important message to the world.”
Erdogan also left open the possibility of expanding the new defense framework, saying Egypt could join in the future.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Erdogan said Turkey’s main priority is reopening it, adding that keeping the strait closed serves no one’s interests. He also praised Qatar’s mediation efforts to end conflicts in the region.
Erdogan Eyes A Role In Syria, Sudan, And Libya
Erdogan revealed he plans to visit Syria, saying Turkey will keep working to restore stability there and “won’t leave it alone.” On Syria’s Kurds, he said they too should benefit from peace and stability, adding that Ankara will keep strengthening ties with Kurdish communities.
On Gaza, the Turkish president repeated that Ankara will continue its support, saying, “We can’t leave Gaza alone.” He also said Hamas is fulfilling its obligations “in good faith,” while accusing Israel of continuing the war. Erdogan voiced concern over Israeli strikes in Lebanon, saying he had raised the issue with Donald Trump and that the US could play a major role in ending the conflicts there.
On Sudan, Erdogan said Turkey will keep up its support and described his relations with Sovereignty Council leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan as good. On Libya, he said relations with Ankara remain stable and reaffirmed that Turkey “won’t leave it alone.”
