President Erdogan urges EU membership revival in talks with EU leaders at NATO summit

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met French President Emmanuel Macron, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the 36th NATO State and Government Leaders Summit in Ankara. The bilateral talks covered Turkey‑France relations, regional security issues such as the Ukraine‑Russia war, US‑Iran tensions and the Israel‑Gaza conflict, and Turkey’s role as a NATO ally.

Erdogan highlighted Turkey’s long‑standing candidacy for EU accession, urging that the necessary mechanisms be activated and meetings scheduled to restart the process. He pointed to Turkey’s customs‑union membership and its status as a major European production hub, arguing that deeper EU‑Turkey economic integration would benefit the bloc’s global competitiveness. Macron later posted on social media a short message passing on Erdogan’s greeting to France, underscoring the diplomatic tone of the summit.