In a recent phone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized the crucial role that relations between Türkiye and the European Union play amid rising regional tensions. The discussion, which was disclosed by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate on the social media platform NSosyal, revolved around a range of topics including Türkiye-European Union relations and broader regional and global issues.
President Erdoğan conveyed Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to stabilize a cease-fire and promote peace in the conflict-ridden region. He highlighted the necessity of reopening the Strait of Hormuz at the earliest opportunity. Erdoğan also accused Israel of perpetuating conflicts in the area and breaching international law through actions he described as piracy. He called for increased international pressure on Israel to address these issues.
Erdoğan proposed that Türkiye’s participation in Europe’s security strategy initiatives would be advantageous. He insisted on the need to revise the Turkish-EU Customs Union to reflect current realities and called for expanded cooperation across various fields. This, he argued, would bolster economic integration and serve the shared interests of both Türkiye and the European Union.