Erdogan urges revitalized EU talks in meeting with France’s Macron

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed Türkiye’s strategic approach toward full European Union membership during talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday at the European Political Community Summit in Budapest.

Erdogan highlighted the need to revitalize Türkiye’s EU accession process and urged the bloc to update its Customs Union with Türkiye and fulfill promises on visa liberalization for Turkish citizens.

The two leaders also engaged in discussions on regional and global matters, with Erdogan pointing to the long-standing relationship between Ankara and Paris.

Erdogan emphasized that strengthening commercial and economic ties would benefit both nations.

Erdogan also called for peaceful diplomacy to address ongoing tensions, including those between Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and Israel and Lebanon. “It is in the interest of all countries to resolve these tensions through diplomatic means,” he said.