Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized the European Union, stating that despite Ankara’s significant geopolitical and economic potential, Turkey’s EU accession process and the modernization of the Customs Union have effectively stalled.
elchi reports that this was announced by “TRT Haber”.
Speaking at a joint press conference with his Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Vienna, Fidan noted that expanding cooperation could have significantly increased trade turnover — up to 500 billion dollars. However, according to him, this is hindered by a “lack of political will” within the EU.
The minister raised the question of why the membership issue has not yet been resolved, considering Turkey’s role in regional security and current global crises.
“If Turkey fulfills the conditions, a clear political statement should be made by the EU that they are ready to accept it. Unfortunately, such will has been lost,” the minister said, recalling the decisions made in the late 2000s that slowed down the integration process.
Fidan emphasized that despite institutional difficulties within the EU, cooperation is necessary due to regional crises, ranging from the war in Ukraine to the situation in the Middle East and issues of European security.
He also noted that the trade turnover between Turkey and the EU is already close to 250 billion dollars and is almost balanced. Updating the Customs Union could significantly strengthen economic ties.
“Our goal is to take relations to a higher level,” he added.
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