Erdogan states geopolitical importance of Turkey-EU relations

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called relations between Ankara and the European Union geopolitically important.

In his opinion, the republic's participation in EU defense initiatives serves common interests.

"Recent events in our region have once again demonstrated the geopolitical importance of relations between Turkey and the EU, that updating the Customs Union in accordance with new conditions is among the priority tasks requiring urgent resolution in the period before full membership [of Turkey in the European Union], and that our participation in EU defense initiatives serves common interests," Erdogan said at a meeting with Belgian Queen Mathilde in Istanbul. His statements are reported by the communications department of the Turkish leader's administration.

According to Erdogan, there is significant potential for cooperation between Turkey and Belgium in various fields - from trade to defense industry, energy, and agriculture. The Turkish president named green energy as one of the important areas of interaction with Belgium. "The capacity of renewable energy sources in Turkey is among the leading in Europe," he noted in this regard.

Turkey has officially been seeking EU membership as a full member since 2005. Erdogan previously stated that the European Union today needs Turkey more than it needs the EU.