ISTANBUL

Türkiye's full inclusion in EU defense efforts is "essential" for Europe's peace and security, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.

Speaking at the fifth European Political Community summit in Hungary's capital Budapest, Erdogan said: "Today, we have gathered here to address the multidimensional security challenges facing Europe."

Security challenges are no longer limited to military threats, terrorist attacks, and hybrid warfare tactics, Erdogan said.

A wide range of challenges such as energy security and cyberattacks to migration flows, pandemics, systemic violations of international law, and war are affecting everyone, he added.

Many of the threats to peace, stability, and prosperity have reached levels that we cannot overcome alone, he said.

"Unfortunately, we are entering the third year of war in Europe," said Erdogan, adding: "The negative consequences of the war in Ukraine are growing with each passing day."

"The war being dragged out is leaving less and less room for diplomacy," he stated.

"From the very beginning, we have advocated a negotiation process with both parties at the table, leading to a lasting and just peace."

The Turkish president said he conveyed Ankara's "messages to open space for diplomacy" in recent separate meetings with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Gaza genocide

A far greater humanitarian tragedy than the war in Ukraine, in terms of the destruction and civilian casualties it has caused, is taking place in the Middle East, said the Turkish president.

"The genocide in Gaza, which has been ongoing for a year, is a shared disgrace for all humanity,” he said, adding that recently, immoral and illegal attacks have also been carried out in the West Bank and Lebanon as well.

It is essential to put pressure on Israel at all levels to ensure an immediate cease-fire and an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to the region, Erdogan stressed.

He added that those who unconditionally support Israel's aggression must realize that they have become accomplices in the crimes being committed there.

President Erdogan stated that they had initiated efforts at the UN to stop more weapons and ammunition going to Israel.

They sent a letter with the signatures of over 50 countries and international organizations to the UN secretary-general, the UK, which holds the UN Security Council presidency in November, and the president of the UN General Assembly.

Erdogan also stressed the importance of recognizing Palestine as a state, adding: "I commend Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Slovenia for their steps in this direction, and I congratulate them on behalf of my country and people."

"I believe these recognition decisions serve as a precedent for European states that desire peace in the region. I call on all countries that have not yet recognized Palestine to do so, in order to contribute to global justice and peace."

Türkiye's contributions to Europe-Atlantic region

Türkiye is among the countries that have contributed the most to peace, prosperity, and stability in the Europe-Atlantic region, said Erdogan.

"As one of NATO's leading allies, we continue our consultations and cooperation with our partners across a vast geography, extending from the Asia-Pacific to North Africa.

"We expect the immediate removal of obstacles to our participation in the European Defense Agency and projects under the Permanent Structured Cooperation framework.”

Decrying growing hate on the continent, he said: "Hatred, Islamophobia, and racism in Europe are undermining social cohesion and stability. The rising marginalization of migrants, particularly Muslims, is emerging as a new face of racism."

He added that it must be acknowledged that xenophobia and Islamophobia are not just a threat to Muslims and migrants but to the peace and security of society as a whole, and represent a fundamental human rights issue.

"The political barriers and prejudiced attitudes preventing us from establishing deeper cooperation must be overcome. Otherwise, Europe will not be able to achieve the intellectual and economic transformations it needs."

Türkiye is ready for dialogue and cooperation to advance its relations with the EU on a sound basis, the Turkish president said.

On Türkiye’s long quest to join the European Union, he said: "There is no reasonable justification for blocking the EU accession process of a candidate country like Türkiye, which has long made significant contributions to the prosperity and security of Europe."

"We want to see concrete cooperation from our European partners in the fight against the terror group PKK," he said, referring to a group whose 40-year terror campaign in Türkiye has taken over 40,000 lives.

Türkiye also expects requests for judicial and administrative cooperation to be met by European countries where there is a significant presence of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) – a group whose defeated 2016 coup attempt in Türkiye killed over 250 people – he added.

European leaders are attending the fifth European Political Community summit to discuss global issues, including Ukraine and the Middle East.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is hosting the meeting, where attendees are also discussing irregular migration and issues related to Europe’s economic security.

The European Political Community was founded in 2022.