Turkish President Erdoğan has reaffirmed Turkey’s ambition for EU membership, leveraging geopolitical shifts and questioning the EU’s stability. His assertive rhetoric may pose challenges for European relations, especially given Turkey’s human rights issues and alliances with Russia. Meanwhile, Greece and Cyprus are closely monitoring these developments, wary of Turkey’s potential influence in Europe.
In recent statements, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has emphasized Turkey’s urgent need to join the European Union, asserting, “At every opportunity, I emphasize that this is our strategic goal.” His tone reflects both confidence and a blatant disregard for the European community’s conditions. Erdoğan declared, “If the EU wants to prevent its loss of power, it can only do so through Turkey’s full membership.”
Erdoğan’s renewed insistence on EU accession is linked to the shifting geopolitical landscape following Donald Trump’s resurgence in global politics. European nations are now confronting an unfamiliar reality wherein Turkey’s potential EU membership becomes a significant factor. Erdoğan’s positioning exploits a leadership vacuum created by perceived U.S. disengagement from its traditional role in Western security.
This strategic timing by Erdoğan indicates his intent to secure Turkey’s dominance in international affairs, as evidenced by his military expansion and global outreach strategies. His aspirations include mediating the Ukraine conflict, extending influence in the Middle East and Africa, and promoting a Muslim nation for a permanent United Nations Security Council seat.
European governments regard Erdoğan’s suggestions with skepticism, deeming them bold and somewhat provocative. Nevertheless, Turkey’s military capabilities have garnered interest among some officials, such as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who encourages deeper EU engagements with Turkey. However, political impediments, particularly concerning Turkey’s human rights record and rule of law violations, significantly obstruct serious accession discussions.
Ongoing disputes, particularly regarding Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, alongside Turkey’s ambiguous position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, further complicate EU-Turkey relations. The EU continues to perceive Russia as a primary security threat; thus, Turkey’s alliance with Moscow limits its prospects for acceptance within European security frameworks. Without fundamental shifts in relationships and policy from Erdoğan regarding Russia,Turkey’s integration into Europe remains unlikely.
The implications of these dynamics are especially pertinent for Greece and Cyprus, whose EU membership served to counterbalance Turkey’s assertiveness. Both nations remain alert to Turkey’s growing popularity in Europe, with fears regarding the degradation of the international order underlining their concerns. Greek anxieties are compounded by recent U.S. stances that seem to ignore international law concerning territorial disputes.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has tempered responses to U.S. developments, maintaining that, “I see no changes in how the U.S. views Greece.” Meanwhile, Greece is enhancing its relationships in the region, particularly through its alliance with Israel, considered a stabilizing force. Erdoğan’s longstanding affiliations with Hamas, however, jeopardize Turkey’s chances of gaining favorable insights from Western leaders, thereby complicating its EU aspirations.
The evolving relationship between Turkey and the European Union presents significant challenges and opportunities, particularly for Greece and Cyprus. Erdoğan’s assertive approach in advocating for Turkey’s EU membership amidst geopolitical shifts raises concerns about the potential erosion of international norms. Despite some European interests in engaging with Turkey’s military capabilities, fundamental issues such as human rights violations remain major barriers. As the situation develops, both Greece and Cyprus must navigate these dynamics carefully to safeguard their interests in the region.
Original Source: www.ekathimerini.com
