Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

EU Says Turkey Remains Key Regional Partner after Von der Leyen Remarks


(MENAFN) The European Commission said Tuesday that Türkiye remains a highly significant partner for the European Union, following controversy sparked by recent comments from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that grouped Türkiye alongside Russia and China in a geopolitical context.

A Commission spokesperson said the reference to Türkiye was intended to reflect its geopolitical influence and regional weight rather than to compare it directly with other countries.

“Türkiye is unquestionably an important partner in the region both economically and politically,” the spokesperson told a news outlet, emphasizing cooperation in areas such as regional connectivity projects, migration management, and broader strategic engagement.

The spokesperson pointed to Türkiye’s role in initiatives like the Trans-Caspian transport corridor and described it as a key actor in regional infrastructure and trade links.

They also underlined that Türkiye is a NATO member and an EU candidate country, describing it as a central interlocutor for the bloc.

The clarification came after von der Leyen, speaking at an event in Hamburg marking the 80th anniversary of the newspaper Die Zeit, said Europe must ensure it is not shaped by external influence from Russia, Türkiye, or China, while reiterating support for EU enlargement.

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