Erdoğan: EU Membership is Not a Priority

Turkish President and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a series of remarks on developments in Syria, saying he would visit the country soon. Erdoğan said Syrian Kurds would “have a share in peace and stability” and that Turkey would continue strengthening its ties with Kurdish communities across the region.

Erdoğan also commented on the Mecca Pact signed between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, saying Egypt could join the agreement. He also addressed Turkey-EU relations, saying the EU did not appear willing to accept Turkey as a member and that EU membership was no longer a priority for Ankara, adding that “Europe will be the one to lose.”

Speaking to a programme to be broadcast on Al Jazeera Arabic on Sunday evening, Erdoğan said the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement envisages signatory countries taking joint action if any of the parties comes under an external attack.

“EU MEMBERSHIP IS NOT A PRIORITY FOR TÜRKİYE; THE EU WILL BE THE ONE TO LOSE”

Addressing Turkey’s relations with the European Union, Erdoğan said the bloc did not appear willing to accept Turkey as a member.

Erdoğan said EU membership was no longer a priority for Ankara, adding that Europe would be the one to lose as a result.

MECCA PACT AND GAZA

“This agreement sent an important message to the world,” Erdoğan said, noting that Egypt’s participation was one of the options for expanding the agreement in the future.

Erdoğan also discussed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the wars in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon.

He said reopening the Strait of Hormuz was a priority for Ankara, arguing that keeping the strait closed served no one’s interests. Erdoğan also said Qatar had an important role to play in mediation efforts aimed at ending conflicts in the region.

Erdoğan also assessed developments in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon.

Saying Turkey would do everything in its power to support stability in Syria, Erdoğan announced that he would visit the country. He said Syrian Kurds would “have a share in peace and stability” and that Turkey would continue strengthening its ties with Kurdish communities across the region and protecting their rights.

On Gaza, Erdoğan said Turkey “cannot leave Gaza alone” and would do everything necessary to support it. He also said Hamas had been acting in good faith in accordance with its commitments, while Israel continued its war.

Erdoğan said Israel’s ongoing attacks on Lebanon were a serious concern for Ankara, stressing the importance of Washington’s role in ending the conflict.

Erdoğan also said Turkey would continue supporting Sudan and that relations with Sudanese Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan were good. He said relations between Libya and Turkey remained stable, adding that Turkey would not abandon Libya.