FM Fidan calls for return to pre-Sarkozy EU relations framework

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the need to reset Türkiye-European Union relations to their pre-Nicolas Sarkozy era framework, advocating for a merit-based pathway to EU membership and stronger regional cooperation between Türkiye and Europe.

In an interview with France 24, Fidan discussed Türkiye-EU relations, highlighting the importance of moving beyond identity politics that he said began dominating the dialogue during Sarkozy’s presidency in France.

A call for merit-based membership negotiations

Fidan stated that before Sarkozy’s presidency, European leaders, particularly in Germany and France, viewed Türkiye’s EU membership as a strategic goal.

However, during Sarkozy’s term, Türkiye’s membership became entangled in domestic political debates and identity politics within Europe.

“If Türkiye had joined the EU in 2007 or 2008, it would have been a golden period. Türkiye was committed to EU reforms, and no external threats disrupted its progress. But identity politics shifted the focus, and we must return to a merit-based membership process,” Fidan remarked.

If Türkiye had joined the European Union in 2007 or 2008… Because those were golden times. Because when Türkiye was given this clear roadmap, EU reforms were on the way and no other international actor was threatening Türkiye. Because they knew how well Türkiye was treated by the European Union and that the merit-based process was on track, but then Türkiye’s membership became part of the identity politics debate within European politics.

We have to go back to the pre-Sarkozy line. A merit-based membership path should therefore be opened. Türkiye must unite with Europe to become a more effective power in the region.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

Strategic importance of Türkiye for European security

Fidan highlighted two contrasting approaches to European security. The first envisions a stronger Europe that includes Türkiye as a geostrategic partner, making the region more resilient against global instability.

The second approach, he warned, risks leaving Europe overly dependent on external actors for its security.

He underscored Türkiye’s potential role in contributing to a more stable and secure Europe, emphasizing the need for collaborative strategies to address shared geopolitical challenges.

Positive signals from the European Commission

Fidan also referred to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s recent visit to Ankara, describing it as a constructive step towards renewing high-level political dialogue between Türkiye and the EU.

“Our impression is that she is genuinely interested in advancing this dialogue, and President Erdogan shares the same willingness,” Fidan noted.

Türkiye’s broader diplomatic engagement

Besides addressing Türkiye-EU relations, Fidan has recently held phone discussions with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Yahya, and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

Topics included Gaza ceasefire efforts, regional stability in Syria, and ongoing bilateral relations.

Fidan also shared a New Year’s message emphasizing Türkiye’s commitment to building lasting partnerships and addressing global challenges through diplomacy.

We have left behind a year in which we, as Türkiye, have resolutely strived for peace, stability and prosperity in our region and beyond, and in which we have observed the positive results of these efforts at the global level.

In a period when threats and opportunities are intertwined, our Türkiye-centered foreign policy, shaped by the visionary leadership of our President, continues to produce stability for our region.

We are determined to build lasting collaborations in every geography we extend our hand of friendship to and to further strengthen our understanding of diplomacy that produces solutions to global problems in 2025.

We will continue to defend the interests of our country with a strategic and result-oriented approach; with the support of our nation, we will continue our struggle for a world order based on justice and human dignity.

With the hope that humanity’s journey towards truth, which has been evolving for thousands of years, will come a little closer to its goal in 2025…

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan