Türkiye’s membership in the European Union “is no longer a priority” for Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, arguing that if the process does not move forward, “Europe will be the loser.”
In an interview, the Turkish president addressed a range of critical issues, including relations with the EU, F-35 fighter jets, the new defense agreement involving Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, as well as Egypt, the Strait of Hormuz, Syria and Gaza.
According to Turkish media, Erdogan claimed that the European Union does not appear willing to accept Türkiye as a full member.
Erdogan said EU membership is no longer at the top of Ankara’s agenda. He argued that Europe has shown no genuine willingness to integrate Türkiye into the bloc and warned that if the process does not advance, “Europe will be the loser.”
Regarding the U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, Erdogan said: “I received a promise from Trump regarding the F-35s. I expect that promise to be kept.”
The Turkish president also referred to the Joint Defense Agreement signed on August 7 by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in Mecca, under which an armed attack against one of the three countries would be considered an attack against all three.
He argued that the agreement “sent an important message to the world.”
Erdogan also left open the possibility of expanding the new defense framework, saying that Egypt could potentially join in the future.
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Erdogan said Türkiye’s primary priority is its reopening.
According to him, keeping the strategic waterway closed serves the interests of neither side. At the same time, he praised Qatar’s role in mediation efforts aimed at ending conflicts in the region.
