Foreign Minister Fidan to the European Union: What are you waiting for?

08.05.2026 18:14

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is on a visit to Austria, spoke about Turkey's EU membership process at a press conference. Fidan said, "When we look at the Russia-Ukraine War, based on the role Turkey has played there, what is the European Union actually waiting for? While Turkey can offer so many geostrategic, geopolitical, and geoeconomic benefits, the question is why this membership process is not materializing."

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan spoke at a joint press conference in Vienna with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger.

Stating that Turkey supports the negotiation process between the US and Iran and has exerted its utmost efforts, Fidan said, "Extending the ceasefire is an important matter. What matters to us is that war does not break out again."

"IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BETWEEN THE US AND IRAN IN TWO WEEKS"

Fidan noted that the issues to be agreed upon are very important and numerous, stating, "It may not be possible to resolve these within two weeks. We may need additional extensions. I saw that the parties are frankly willing in this regard. Because the pressure of the international community frankly makes this somewhat necessary." Pointing out that the next few days are critical, Fidan continued:

"OUR SUPPORT WILL CONTINUE"

"These few days are very important, especially as the parties are currently clarifying certain positions. It is extremely important that both sides act with the intention of reaching a ceasefire and peace, and with the intention of opening the Strait of Hormuz. There are some detailed issues that need to be resolved. I frankly trust the skill of our Pakistani brothers. Our support will continue."

"WHY IS THIS MEMBERSHIP NOT HAPPENING?"

In response to a question about Turkey's European Union (EU) accession process, Fidan replied, "Looking at the Russia-Ukraine War, based on the role Turkey played, what more is the European Union waiting for? While Turkey can offer so much geostrategic, geopolitical, and geoeconomic benefit, the question is why this membership is not happening."

"THERE IS NO POLITICAL WILL IN THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THIS MATTER"

Drawing attention to the fact that "every story has two sides," Fidan continued his remarks as follows:

"We have never demanded that membership conditions not be met and that we enter without meeting them. If you are going to join somewhere, there are conditions. These conditions are set before you, and when you comply with them, you enter. But the problem is that there is no political will in the European Union saying, 'We accept Turkey as a member of the European Union when the conditions are met.'"

Expressing that "the EU's political will was killed by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007," Fidan said, "The European political will previously set forth by Mr. Schröder (former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder) and Mr. Chirac (former French President Jacques Chirac) was eliminated with Mr. Sarkozy."

Emphasizing that a political will needs to be declared in the EU for Turkey to move to the assessment stages, Fidan said:

"But on the other hand, geostrategic events are developing in such a way that they compel us to work together regardless of the nature of our relations with the EU. There are many issues such as the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the crisis in the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz, developments in our region, maintaining stability in the Balkans, our trade volume, common trade resilience, and building a defense base."

Fidan noted that when Europe and Turkey come together, they form a population of 500 million, and there are many areas where this population can work together, stating, "While we could achieve a joint structure of 500 million in all these areas, a country of less than 1 million can greatly hinder this, and no one can say anything about it. The fact that such a tactical problem prevents a major strategic interest and that no solution can be found for it is a deadlock. This is a problem that Europe must solve within itself."

"TURKEY'S POLICY IS TO ALWAYS KEEP ITS RELATIONS WITH EUROPE GOOD"

Drawing attention to Turkey's policy of always maintaining good relations with Europe, Fidan noted that the trade volume between the two sides is approaching 250 billion dollars and that with the update of the Customs Union Agreement, it could rise to 500 billion dollars.

Stating that both sides "want to take a step but cannot seem to take one," Fidan added, "Here, there are problems on the EU side regarding demonstrating some will."

Underlining that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's stance on this issue is clear, Fidan said, "We have no problem with this. I hope we can take our existing relations to a better, advanced level."

COOPERATION WITH EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Fidan recalled that they are trying to advance relations with European countries in every field and that last week, Turkey and the UK signed the Strategic Partnership Framework Document. He stated that both sides demonstrated political will to make the good relations with the UK more permanent and systematic.

"Actually, our bilateral relations with European countries are really very good. We may have very problematic issues with one, and slightly more problematic with another, but with the rest, we have really good relations on trade, security, defense industry, and all matters you can think of," said Fidan, adding that institutional relations with the EU have a different dimension.

Emphasizing that they will continue to advance relations with EU institutions and European countries in the best possible way, Fidan stated, "Both sides—both the European side and the Turkish side—need to advance trade, show more solidarity, and become more resilient in this geography full of crises. Otherwise, in a place where alliances are decreasing, conflicts are increasing, and we are having difficulty managing existing crises, the parties will increasingly wear each other down."

Fidan expressed appreciation for his Austrian counterpart's approach, saying, "Especially as seen in the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), we reached a consensus together. The fact that this initiative achieves a function, particularly in matters such as transportation and energy security, could set an exemplary model."

Fidan drew attention to the energy cooperation potential between Austria and Turkey, noting that Austria hosts very good energy companies with international experience.

Pointing to Turkey's large energy infrastructure, Fidan recorded the following:

"Turkey is increasingly becoming both a transit route and a hub. We currently have major energy terminals. There is also a stance to soon bring them into play more for European energy security."