References to Cyprus and Greece
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan referred to Cyprus and Greece, claiming that disputes related to the Cyprus issue constituted a major obstacle to Turkey’s progress towards the European Union. He said that Greece joined the EU swiftly, in contrast to Ankara, which he argued was marginalised for political reasons.
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Erdoğan said that “disagreements arising from the Cyprus issue became the reason our path towards the EU was obstructed.”.
Comparisons With Greece’s Accession
The Turkish President added that “at that time, our neighbouring Greece submitted its application for membership in 1975 and was accepted within a very short period in 1981. By contrast, Turkey was removed from the negotiating table for purely political reasons.”
2004 Enlargement and Cyprus’ Accession
Erdoğan said that “in 2004, the European Union carried out the largest enlargement in its history. Among the new members was the Greek Cypriot side of southern Cyprus,” referring to the Republic of Cyprus.
He added that “as Turkey, we accepted all these incorrect and unjust decisions and continued our journey with patience. During the negotiation process that began on 3 October 2005 and thereafter, we fully fulfilled the obligations that fell to us.”
‘Deep‑Rooted Prejudices’
The Turkish President spoke of “deep‑rooted prejudices” against Turkey within European circles, claiming that arguments related at times to democracy, the economy, population or religion were used to slow down the accession process.
He argued that, unlike other candidate countries, Turkey was forced to fight not only at an institutional level but also against this mentality. Despite what he described as unjust decisions, Turkey continued on its path with patience, fulfilling its obligations following the launch of negotiations in 2005.
Turkey as a ‘Stability Island’
Erdoğan further claimed that every crisis in the region confirms Turkey’s position as an 'island of stability,' noting that over the past 23 years the country has significantly strengthened its role as a strong and stable actor.
In this context, he spoke of an emerging new global order, marked by stronger regional cooperation and a transition towards a multipolar system, within which Turkey, he said, is among the countries seeking a central role.
Message to Brussels
“The issue is not where Ankara stands, but where Brussels wants to stand in the world of the future,” Erdoğan said, arguing that an EU without Turkey’s full participation cannot constitute a global centre of power.
He maintained that “Europe’s need for Turkey today is greater than Turkey’s need for Europe.” and warned that the EU faces a critical dilemma. Either it will harness Turkey’s dynamism, or it will allow exclusionary policies to negatively shape its future, he said.
Source: CNA
