Turkey’s Erdogan says geopolitical turmoil strengthens case for EU ties

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Belgian Queen Mathilde on Monday that recent regional upheaval had reinforced the importance of deepening Turkey's relationship with the European Union.

Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by his wife Emine Erdogan, meets with Queen Mathilde of Belgium at the Vahdettin Mansion in Istanbul, Turkey, May 11, 2026.

Mustafa Kamaci/Turkish Presidential Press Office

Meeting in Istanbul, Erdogan said events in the Middle East had once again highlighted Turkey's geopolitical value to the EU, calling modernization of the customs union "a key area requiring rapid progress" toward Ankara's full EU membership.

Turkey's presidential communications directorate said on X that Erdogan also stressed that Turkish participation in EU defense initiatives was "in the common interest of all parties".

The two sides have room to expand cooperation across trade, defense, energy and agriculture, Erdogan said, singling out the green energy transition as a particularly promising area. He noted Turkey ranks among Europe's leading countries in installed renewable energy capacity.

Erdogan also highlighted Turkey's upcoming diplomatic commitments, noting it would host the NATO leaders' summit in Ankara on July 7-8 and the COP31 climate conference from November 9-20, state news agency Anadolu reported.

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Source: PAP