Erdogan seeks stronger EU ties as Türkiye expands NATO role: Media

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is leveraging Türkiye’s strategic NATO position to push for closer cooperation with the European Union, as Europe seeks to reduce its reliance on the United States for security.

Speaking at an iftar, fast-breaking dinner, with foreign ambassadors in Ankara last week, Erdogan reiterated Türkiye’s aspirations for full EU membership and called for a permanent seat for Ankara on the United Nations Security Council.

While these demands may not materialize in the near future, they underscore Türkiye’s growing role as a geopolitical power broker at a time when the U.S. is reconsidering its commitment to Europe.

Under Erdogan’s leadership, Türkiye has expanded its military and diplomatic influence from Africa to the Middle East, a level of outreach not seen since the end of the Ottoman Empire, according to Bloomberg.

Türkiye’s growing military and diplomatic influence

Erdogan has positioned Türkiye as an essential partner for European security, with discussions ongoing about potential Turkish participation in a future Ukraine peacekeeping mission, sources familiar with the matter said.

“Independent policymaking under Erdogan is paying off as it showcases the value of a strategic NATO ally when the West is having trouble,” said Hasan Yukselen to Bloomberg, founder of Fusion4Strategy, a risk consultancy in Ankara.

Türkiye’s NATO membership, along with its unique geographical position at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East, gives it influence over key maritime trade routes, energy shipments, and migration flows to Europe.

It also played a crucial role in facilitating the Ukrainian grain deal through the Black Sea.

Türkiye’s role in European security

Türkiye’s military capabilities are among its strongest assets.

The country has the largest fleet of F-16 fighter jets in NATO after the U.S. and controls Incirlik Air Base, which has been a key operational hub for NATO missions.

Additionally, Türkiye hosts an early-warning radar at Kurecik, a critical component of NATO’s ballistic missile defense system for Europe.

Amid increasing security concerns in Europe, Ankara is considering a non-combat role in monitoring the line of contact in eastern Ukraine, depending on Moscow’s consent, sources said to Bloomberg.

Beyond military assets, Türkiye’s defense industry has grown significantly, providing crucial 155mm shells for Ukraine and expanding exports of naval ships, combat drones, and armored vehicles.

President Erdogan has also strengthened ties with European defense firms, including a partnership between Italy’s Leonardo and Türkiye’s Baykar.

Stronger economic and security ties with EU

President Erdogan has emphasized the need for stronger economic and security cooperation with the EU. “We hope that our European friends will understand the role of the new Türkiye in the reshaping world and determine their strategies accordingly,” he said on March 10, reaffirming Ankara’s goal of full EU membership.

Closer relations with the EU could also help Türkiye’s economy. After a shift in economic policy following Erdogan’s 2023 re-election, foreign investment returned, but long-term investment remains limited, according to Bloomberg Economics.

In a recent joint press conference with Poland’s Tusk, Erdogan said, “If the European Union wants to prevent and even reverse its loss of power and altitude, it can only achieve this through Türkiye’s full membership.”

Ankara has also strengthened regional security partnerships, recently establishing a joint operation mechanism with Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq to counter the renewed threat from Daesh.

At the same time, Türkiye remains engaged in post-Assad Syria, as tensions escalate in Latakia and Israeli airstrikes continue to target military sites.

Challenges and opportunities for Türkiye

Analysts say Erdogan is seeking closer ties with both the U.S. and EU to strengthen Türkiye’s economy and maintain political stability.

“Erdogan needs closer security and economic cooperation both with the U.S. and European allies to improve Türkiye’s economy and bolster his chances of extending his stay in power,” said Serhat Erkmen to Bloomberg, director of the Pros&Cons Security and Risk Analysis Center in Ankara.

Türkiye has expanded its global outreach, establishing nearly 100 diplomatic missions in two decades while fostering relations with China, Russia, and Iran. It has also played a key role in mediating conflicts in Gaza, Somalia, and Ukraine.

While full EU membership remains unlikely in the short term, Türkiye hopes closer defense ties could end its exclusion from NATO-EU security initiatives, including the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) framework.

Ankara is also looking to modernize its customs union deal with the EU and secure visa-free travel for Turkish citizens.

“The EU is already Türkiye’s largest trade partner and strategic ally in issues including migration, but the indefinite stall on Turkish accession was acting as a drag on the relationship,” said Selva Bahar Baziki to Bloomberg, an economist at Bloomberg Economics in Ankara. “Now, the prospect of improved relations could see a surge in portfolio and investment flows.”

Türkiye’s NATO role in Ukraine war

Türkiye has navigated a delicate balance in the Ukraine war, supporting Ukraine while maintaining relations with Moscow.

It has blocked Russian warships from its straits, closed airspace to Russian military flights, and supplied Ukraine with drones and 155mm shells.

Additionally, Türkiye initiated a Black Sea security effort alongside Romania and Bulgaria to address mine threats and improve shipping safety, while excluding NATO members such as the U.S. and the U.K. to prevent further escalation in the region.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently traveled to London for an emergency summit on Ukraine, reinforcing Türkiye’s diplomatic presence among Western allies.

“It is becoming increasingly impossible for a Europe in which Türkiye is not included as it deserves to be, to continue its existence as a global actor,” Erdogan said at the iftar dinner with ambassadors. “To put it bluntly: European security without Türkiye is unthinkable.”