President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stated on Wednesday that "Preventing or reversing the EU's loss of power and influence is only possible with Türkiye's membership."
"Türkiye has a strategic goal of full EU membership," Erdoğan said at a joint press conference in Ankara earlier in the day after meeting with visiting Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland, according to local media, including Anadolu Agency and Sabah daily.
"We hope to develop cooperation with the EU based on mutual benefit and respect," Erdoğan added.
Tusk stated, "We really hope that the process of Türkiye's entry into the EU is now a realistic and concrete process," and added, "We have always supported Türkiye in this regard."
Referring to the 30-day temporary ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, which was accepted by the US and Ukraine during high-level talks in Saudi Arabia the previous day, Tusk remarked, "Ukraine's acceptance of the ceasefire is positive and important."
"We hope Russia will respond constructively," he added.
Erdoğan also emphasised, "If Russia wants Ukraine to come to the negotiating table, we are ready to facilitate the talks."
Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Türkiye hosted peace talks attended by the foreign ministers of both countries in Antalya and brokered the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which enabled the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products.
Tusk further stated, "I have given President Erdoğan a clear proposal for Türkiye to take on the greatest possible co-responsibility for the peace process, guaranteeing stability and security in our entire region."
Tusk also announced that President Erdoğan is scheduled to pay a state visit to Poland next month.
A member of the Western military alliance, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Türkiye was recognised as an EU candidate in 1999 and officially started accession negotiations in 2005. However, talks were halted following the 2016 coup attempt and the 2019 conflict with Greece.