In a recent phone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized the strategic significance of Türkiye’s relationship with the European Union amid rising regional tensions. This dialogue, as reported by the Turkish Communications Directorate, highlighted key aspects of Türkiye-EU ties in the context of current regional and global issues.
President Erdoğan detailed Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to uphold a cease-fire and promote peace in the troubled region, underscoring the urgency of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He criticized Israel for allegedly perpetuating regional conflicts and infringing on international law, including actions he labeled as piracy. Erdoğan urged for increased international pressure on Israel to address these concerns.
In addition to discussing regional conflicts, Erdoğan advocated for Türkiye’s integration into European security strategies, citing potential benefits to both parties. He also called for an update to the Turkish-EU Customs Union, suggesting that enhanced cooperation across various sectors could strengthen economic integration and further mutual interests.