President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye stated at the press conference with President Alar Karis of Estonia in Ankara that full membership in the European Union (EU) is his country's strategic goal.
Erdoğan said: "As we have emphasised on every occasion, full membership in the European Union is our strategic goal. It is in our common interest for the EU to approach Türkiye from a similar perspective. I believe that Estonia will continue to support Türkiye on the basis of this understanding. I have shared my aspiration with Mr Karis on this occasion."
Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Erdoğan said, ''Despite the international community's calls for a permanent cease-fire, Israel's massacres in Gaza threaten not only regional stability but also global security. Those guilty of the barbarism in Gaza will, sooner or later, be held accountable under international law. I would like to reiterate that we are following this situation. To end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, a ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid are still urgently needed.''
Erdoğan said, ''Permanent peace can only be achieved through a two-state solution. The international community must now weigh in.''