Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to reconnect with the West. “There is a favorable atmosphere for the resumption of our accession process to the European region,” Erdogan told journalists on the flight back from the NATO summit in Vilnius, according to his staff.
Turkey wants “concrete results” quickly in talks with the EU, which should be conducted on a win-win basis, the president said. Erdogan also said he saw a new dynamic in relations with the US.
Unrealistic
The EU has been holding accession talks with Turkey since 2005. They were suspended again a few years ago because Europe saw unacceptable developments in the area of the rule of law. Turkey’s admission to the EU is currently considered unrealistic.
Since the transformation into a presidential system in 2018, Erdogan has had far-reaching powers. Parliament and institutions are weakened. Turkey also ignores rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). For example, the Court ordered the release of imprisoned activist Osman Kavala and opposition politician Selahattin Demirtas.
commotion
Observers also see economic motives in Erdogan’s move. The Turkish leader needs investment from the West to combat immense inflation and help rebuild earthquake-stricken regions.
Shortly before the NATO summit on Monday, Erdogan caused a stir by linking his approval of Sweden’s NATO membership to the resumption of accession negotiations with the EU. Erdogan dropped his opposition to the Swedish candidacy before the summit. The Turkish parliament still has to approve the accession protocols and will probably not deal with the issue until October.
READ ALSO. Erdogan: Sweden can join NATO if European Union restarts talks with Turkey
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