19.05.2026 19:50
AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik said that Turkey's EU membership is being blocked by ideological obstacles; otherwise, the EU would be stronger in global crises. Çelik stated, "If Turkey's accession to the EU had not been prevented for ideological reasons, the EU today could play a stronger role as a global power in preventing certain crises. But they lost this opportunity with some narrow-minded approaches."
Çelik made statements regarding the meeting of the Central Decision and Administration Board (MKYK) held at the party headquarters under the chairmanship of President and AK Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
AK PARTY SPOKESPERSON ÇELİK: ERDOĞAN CONDUCTS INTENSE DIPLOMACY
Çelik, who reported that the Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting was also held after the MKYK, wished all young people and those who feel young a happy May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.
Çelik said, "The will that May 19 points to is us rising again with great determination and resolve at a very difficult time in our history, revealing the beginning of the most fundamental principles of our Independence struggle. Today, with the same determination and resolve, we are advancing towards the goals of the Turkey Century. The great will of Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the heroes of the Independence struggle at the most difficult time continues to be a guide for us."
Stating that President and AK Party Chairman Erdoğan made an assessment at the beginning of the meeting and shared domestic and foreign policy issues with MKYK members, Çelik said, "Our President is conducting very intense diplomacy at a difficult time for the world. Regarding all these, our MKYK follows the agenda."
Expressing that the Head of Financial and Administrative Affairs made a presentation at the meeting, Çelik shared the information, "It is an extremely important presentation in terms of meeting the needs of all our organizations and planning the activities of our party in the upcoming period. It was evaluated. There is a presentation by our Human Rights Presidency. Of course, today the digital world has become a dimension directly concerning human rights. All these issues are being evaluated."
"WE ARE CLOSELY MONITORING THE STATUS OF THE SUMUD FLEET"
Çelik, stating that the AK Party Group Chair in the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the Deputy Group Chairs will provide information about the work of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, noted that the "Terror-Free Turkey" agenda was discussed in all its aspects in the MKYK and MYK.
Çelik said, "We once again salute the initiative put forth by the Global Sumud Fleet in the name of human dignity and humanity's nobility. We condemn the attack by Israel, the Netanyahu network, on the Global Sumud Fleet, which set out in the name of human dignity and nobility. We are closely monitoring the situation of our own citizens and the other esteemed members of the fleet."
"ISRAEL CONTINUES THE GENOCIDE WITH DIFFERENT METHODS"
Drawing attention to the fact that barbarism continues in Gaza in the same way, Çelik continued as follows: "The genocide network is continuing the genocide with different methods. It is difficult to move to the second stage because the promises made regarding medicine aid and food aid are still not kept. But the biggest reason for not moving to the second stage is that the Israeli side is not fulfilling its obligations here and is implementing an embargo that causes everything that should be in hospitals under normal humanitarian conditions to run out. Therefore, this network is continuing the genocide with other methods. It is extremely important for the world to raise its voice against this in every respect."
Reminding that the ceasefire continued after the attacks by the USA and Israel on Iran, Çelik said, "We consider it important that the ceasefire continues. We reiterate our support for the need for this to turn into a permanent peace and to be resolved with diplomatic reason."
"AT SAHA 2026, THE POINT TURKEY HAS REACHED IN THE DEFENSE FIELD WAS SEEN"
Referring to the SAHA 2026 International Defense, Aerospace and Defense Industry Fair, Çelik used the following statements: "There, the point Turkey has reached in the defense field, and how it has become a center of attraction together with participants from around the world, was seen. But of course, besides seeing our technological capacity and the great revolutions we have realized in the defense field, it was important for us to see our principles in this regard as well.
Very nice events were also held regarding this. In terms of defending the values that form the essence of what we call the national technology move, that is, a technological development that will protect human life and dignity against those who kill children in Gaza with artificial intelligence and technological development, the events at the SAHA Fair were also very important."
Pointing out that a report published the other day by an institution of the European Union (EU) stated that some EU member countries sold weapons to Israel even while Israel's "barbaric" attack and genocide against Gaza continued, Çelik expressed that this places a great tragedy regarding the separation of profit and gain obtained from technology from human values before humanity.
Çelik continued his speech as follows: "This is a test that politics, governance, and every form of government face. That is, while the genocide in Gaza continues, some EU member countries continued to sell weapons and weapon systems to Israel. Moreover, these were done while it was obvious that Israel was killing children and women using artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. For this reason, the picture that emerged at the SAHA Fair is extremely important as it is not only an indicator of Turkey's high level of advancement in the defense industry but also an expression of the values it puts forward in this regard."
PREPARATIONS FOR THE ANNIVERSARY OF JULY 15
Emphasizing that President Erdoğan has always considered those who sacrificed their lives against the July 15 coup attempt to protect the country's sovereignty and the fight against FETÖ to be extremely important, Çelik conveyed that Erdoğan stated that this struggle must continue uninterrupted.
Çelik said, "We always remember our martyrs, who sacrificed their lives against the FETÖ coup attempt that plagued our sovereignty that night, and their blessed memories with respect, mercy, and prayer. We remembered them today as well. Our President, our Chairman, once again recalled the unique sacrifices of both our martyrs and our devoted veterans in this regard. This year, on the anniversary of the resistance against the July 15 coup attempt, we will commemorate this more intensely. In that regard, intensive preparations will be made both within the government and the party under the instructions of our President. I once again ask for mercy from Almighty Allah for our martyrs and extend our respect to our veterans."
"THE EU SHOULD NOT REMEMBER TURKEY ONLY ON DEFENSE ISSUES"
Çelik also reported that they made comprehensive evaluations regarding recent developments in relations with the EU during the meetings, and noted: "We show our reaction when extremely wrong statements come from the EU from time to time."We are stating that when more reasonable explanations emerge, they too must be strengthened and reinforced. The European Union should not remember Turkey only in matters of defense. If the European Union implements its relationship with Turkey across the broadest possible spectrum, it would actually eliminate most of the difficulties it faces today.
If Turkey's accession to the EU had not been blocked for ideological reasons when we first said this, the EU today could have played a stronger role in preventing certain crises as a global power. But they lost this opportunity due to some narrow-minded approaches. Going forward, the issue of defense and security is, of course, extremely important under current conditions, but we once again emphasize that EU-Turkey cooperation should be expanded within a broad agenda and framework that goes beyond that.”