Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday said the European Union would remain incomplete without Türkiye, while condemning Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud aid flotilla as "piracy" and stressing Ankara’s growing diplomatic role in regional crises from Gaza to Iran and Ukraine.
Speaking at a joint news conference in Berlin with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Fidan said Türkiye expects its European Union accession process and relations with the bloc to be handled independently of political motives.
"Excluding Türkiye from the European Union’s defense and security initiatives contradicts Europe’s stated security objectives," Fidan said, adding that deeper cooperation between Ankara and the bloc was essential.
Wadephul echoed the importance of stronger strategic ties with Türkiye, saying Ankara should be included in the development of the European Union’s defense and industrial policies due to shared interests and common goals.
"If Türkiye wishes to join the European Union, it will find a friendly and reliable partner in Germany," Wadephul said, adding that Ankara has the potential to exert significant influence over the wars in Ukraine and Iran because of its geopolitical position and political and economic weight.
Fidan also strongly condemned Israel’s intervention against the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, describing the operation as "piracy."
"It is estimated that 25 ships have been intercepted. The term for this in international literature is piracy," Fidan said, stressing that the safety of activists aboard the vessels remained Ankara’s top concern.
He said Türkiye was coordinating with all countries whose citizens were on the flotilla and continuing efforts with relevant institutions to ensure the safe return of Turkish nationals.
Fidan added that improving conditions for more than 2 million people in Gaza remained Türkiye’s top priority and described the interception of the aid flotilla as a clear violation of international law and maritime security.
Addressing tensions between the United States and Iran, Fidan said there was currently no immediate threat in practice but stressed that the sustainability of calm depended on continued nuclear negotiations between the two sides.
"I do not think the Iranian side has a principled problem with accepting the necessary conditions in nuclear negotiations," Fidan said, adding that Türkiye would continue supporting ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Fidan said maintaining the cease-fire in the Iran war remains the top priority, warning that renewed conflict would bring serious economic and political consequences for the region and beyond, while expressing hope that both the United States and Iran recognize the risks of restarting the war.
