President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Türkiye's defence industry is prepared to contribute to strengthening the EU's defence sector and enhancing European security.
During the teleconference between the President of the European Council and the EU partner countries, President Erdoğan stated: "We believe it is in our common interest to plan every step toward ensuring European security together with Türkiye. It is unquestionably crucial to maintain strong transatlantic ties to the fullest extent and to secure robust support from our ally, the US, in all of these endeavours. Our defence industry, with its advanced technologies, stands ready to contribute to strengthening Europe’s defence sector."
The Turkish leader added: "I believe that European defence industry programs within the framework of the union should be open to all European allies. It is also important for Türkiye to participate in EU programs for the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine."
"It is in our shared interest to act by taking into account the long-term strategic future of Türkiye-EU relations. We remain firmly committed to our goal of full membership. We expect the EU to adopt a strategic and forward-looking approach so that our membership negotiations can resume as soon as possible."