President Erdoğan reiterates Turkey’s strategic importance to EU

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday reiterated the country's strategic importance to the EU.

Erdoğan noted that Europe Day is celebrated in Turkey on May 9 ever since the approval of the country's candidacy status in 1999.

He further praised the success of the EU project that started with the announcement of the Schuman Declaration on May 9, 1950.

"The ideas behind the Schuman Declaration enabled the countries in Europe to leave aside their differences as well as animosities, and come together for peace, security, development, and prosperity following a war ruining the whole world," he said.

The declaration proposed a common market for coal and steel across Europe setting the foundation for the EU as we know it.

Referring to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, Erdoğan highlighted that it is a warning for the bloc which requires solidarity, cooperation, and a visionary and bold stance.

Against this background, he drew attention to the historical and multi-faceted ties between Turkey and Europe and the country's importance to the EU.

"The repercussions of the war in Ukraine that have reached a global level have reaffirmed how Turkey is of strategic importance for the EU in many areas, security, migration, supply chains, and energy in particular," Erdoğan said.

He also stressed that Turkey and the bloc should focus on our common denominators instead of differences to improve the relations and overcome common challenges.

"The full-membership process to the EU, which Turkey has been maintaining patiently and determinedly despite all kinds of obstacles, should be promoted with a constructive approach," Erdoğan concluded.