The European Union should leave ideological barriers behind in a rapidly changing world and include Türkiye in its existing security and defense mechanisms, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said.
“We are explaining, for years and in every platform, that our country would contribute to the EU in many ways. The time has long come for Europe to include Türkiye in its existing defense and security mechanism,” Erdoğan said on his return from Ethiopia on Feb. 18.
Erdoğan’s statement comes as the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is actively participating to NATO’s largest military drill in Germany with more than 2.000 personnel as well as land, naval and aerial forces. It is also taking part in Baltic air patrolling mission of the NATO.
“The world is changing. How much longer can the European Union remain a hostage of narrow agendas in this era of rapid transformation? It’s impossible to understand,” Erdoğan said, referring to the objections of Greece and Greek Cyprus against the Turkish engagement in the field of security.
“The good option is to lift the ideological barriers in front of the integration of Türkiye with the EU and thus further reinforce Europe. They need to understand that their stances that discriminate Türkiye and ignore the world realities are not logical,” the president said.
It is crystal clear that the EU won’t succeed in establishing a new security architect without Türkiye, as one of the largest armies at the NATO, Erdoğan said. “Our confidence into our army is full. Thanks to this, we are a country that speaks both on the table and demonstrate its capabilities in the field,” he added.
Türkiye’s application to join the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program was not endorsed due to the resistance of Greek Cyprus, Greece and France. It is not admitted to the other EU-led security programs either.
Diplomacy must prevail to diffuse tension between US-Iran
On the ongoing tension between Iran and the United States, Erdoğan stressed that Türkiye is in contact with both nations at the highest level with an objective of resolving the matter diplomatically.
“A new war targeting Iran would benefit no one; on the contrary, our region would lose. We remain on the side of peace and approach the issue with positive aspirations. As Türkiye, we have conveyed to all our counterparts that we are against military intervention in Iran,” he stated.
Türkiye will continue to explain that a military escalation will drag the region into a deeper instability, Erdoğan said, “There is hope if diplomacy runs. We will protect and strengthen this hope.”
On a question on Syria, Erdoğan recalled that the "terror-free Türkiye" project is running successfully and its reflections on Syria have been positively observed following the implementation of the deals between the Syrian Democratic Forces and Damascus.
“There are positive developments taking place there. This pleases us. We are following all the steps for the full integration,” he said.
'Türkiye taking bold responsibility with terror-free process'
Erdoğan on Feb. 18 emphasized that Türkiye is taking bold responsibility in the terror-free Türkiye process aimed at ending decades of violence that have held the nation back.
“By launching the terror-free Türkiye process, we have put not only our hands but our whole bodies on the line to break the half-century-old bloody shackles fastened to our nation’s feet,” Erdoğan said later at a governors’ meeting in Ankara.
The president stressed that despite attempts to sabotage the process, Ankara has managed it for 16 months with “great sensitivity and exceptional success.”
“Our relevant institutions continue to perform their duties in the field carefully and in coordination,” he added.
Erdoğan noted that with the issue in northern Syria resolved smoothly, our path will become even clearer, saying Türkiye will continue to provide support within the framework of brotherhood and good neighborly relations.
He also highlighted that the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, established under Parliament, completed its report on Feb. 18 with support from all political party groups.
He thanked lawmakers and contributors for their cooperation, praising Parliament’s leadership and saying the consensus report provides a key roadmap, with legal discussions set to begin next.
The president said certain steps will be taken toward the complete dissolution of the terrorist organization that has declared it is laying down arms, referring to the terror group PKK/YPG.
“Thus, we will first bring a terror-free Türkiye into reality, and hopefully then establish a terror-free region,” Erdoğan stressed.
‘We will reach our goals step by step'
Erdoğan emphasized that governors, particularly in border regions, have important responsibilities for the smooth continuation of the process.
He underlined the necessity of vigilant security and cooperation to prevent provocations while Türkiye moves closer to a terror-free future.
“Through harmony between the central administration, local governments, and civil society, we will reach our goals step by step. We will strongly uphold the legacy of our heroic martyrs and respect the sensitivities of veterans and martyrs’ families.”
Erdoğan also expressed hope that the holy month of Ramadan would contribute to the awakening of the Islamic world and thanked governors for their service.
He further urged officials to proactively reach vulnerable citizens with fast, compassionate support so no household is left struggling.
He added that they are a cadre focused on the nation’s problems and have worked tirelessly since taking office, with the nation’s approval, to secure a prosperous and happy future for all 86 million citizens.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S. and the EU, announced its dissolution last year following a February 2025 call by its imprisoned ringleader, Abdullah Öcalan, to end decades-long attacks.
On July 11, 2025, a group of 30 PKK terrorists, including 15 women, surrendered and destroyed their weapons in Iraq’s Sulaymaniyah province by throwing them into a burning cauldron.
As part of the new initiative, the Turkish parliament established the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Committee to evaluate the political and legal aspects of the post-terror era.
