“Turkey has often been Europe’s frontline defense and may need to be again. But if accession doesn’t proceed, we’ll have a Europe that undermines its own security. We are an energy corridor with a significant role in Europe’s connectivity in trade, energy, etc. Pipeline projects and the energy map are incomplete without Turkey,” emphasized Egemen Bağış, former Minister of European Affairs of Turkey, during the 5th Thessaloniki Metropolitan Summit co-organized by The Economist and powergame.gr.
Bağış focused on the necessity of Turkey’s EU membership, emphasizing that “the need for EU enlargement is now imperative“. Referencing Thessaloniki’s history and his close relationship with Yiannis Boutaris, Bağış expressed his gratitude for being in “this historic city, long a meeting point of cultures and ideas and birthplace of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk“. “Yiannis Boutaris was also a visionary and friend who said that just as Greece is in the EU and we are partners, with you Turks we are like cousins, we have more in common” he added.
Bağış at Economist-powergame.gr summit: “Our participation in SAFE is essential, we have already expressed our readiness to participate in joint projects”
“Today peace stands at a crossroads. Past certainties are fading. There are significant events shaping the world, such as the war in Ukraine, the attempted genocide in Gaza by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the ongoing consequences of regime change in Syria” he noted and continued:
“The coronavirus pandemic revealed new vulnerabilities, while the Ukraine war exposed Europe’s dependence on Russian energy, as well as its defense and supply chain weaknesses. Meanwhile, the genocide in Gaza revealed deep weaknesses and the situation in Syria continues to generate refugee flows and create challenges
These crises underscore the urgent need for a revised vision of European security that bridges the gap between European and non-allied partners and redefines its position in the transatlantic alliance.
Europe doesn’t have the luxury of being divided in the face of this uncertainty. There is a strategic competitiveness compass, the REPowerEU plan that seeks to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2030, the European Chips Act for semiconductor independence. The direction is clear: defense, resilience, competitiveness are at the center of the future. Strategic autonomy is a survival strategy. However, can this exist without Turkey?
Turkey welcomes Europe’s ambition to become a security actor and we are ready to contribute not as a neighbor, but as an ally. Our defense is strong, exports exceeded $7 billion in 2024, we are 9th in the world this year and among the 5 nations producing next-generation fighter aircraft. These can become assets not only for Turkey, but for Europe as well
Therefore, our participation in SAFE is essential, we have already expressed our readiness to participate in joint projects. Some member states continue to obstruct cooperation, which harms European interests. Our cooperation should be based on common interest.
The war in Ukraine accelerated the need for EU enlargement, but it’s not realistic to expect Turkey to contribute to EU security while being excluded from decision-making. You can’t expect Turkey to shoulder Europe’s burden while denying it a seat at the table.
Credible enlargement is the EU’s best investment. Turkey’s alignment with EU initiatives will only be sustainable if the momentum of the accession process can be leveraged.
The challenges require cooperation and unity” emphasized Turkey’s former Minister of European Affairs.
