Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged the European Union on Friday to extend the same support to Türkiye that it has provided to previous candidate countries, speaking at a Turkish-German economic forum held in Istanbul.
The event was organized jointly by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) and the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD), and was attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel alongside Erdoğan.
Erdoğan said Türkiye-Germany cooperation offered meaningful opportunities for both nations as they navigate the pressures of globalization and shifting global conditions. He argued that peace, stability, and prosperity are inseparable goals requiring collective effort.
On EU membership, Erdoğan emphasized that Türkiye's accession process remains a top priority and called for negotiations to be conducted fairly and objectively. He described Türkiye as a bridge connecting the West and East, as well as the Islamic and Christian worlds, through its participation in numerous international organizations.
Erdoğan also expressed appreciation for Germany's backing of Türkiye's bid for full EU membership.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in October 2006, in its own words.