Hakan Fidan Calls for Renewal of EU Relations, Advocates Merit-Based Membership Process

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for a return to the cooperative spirit that marked EU-Türkiye relations before the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy. Speaking to media outlet, Fidan emphasized the need for a reframing of the European Union’s approach to Türkiye’s membership, advocating for a merit-based process and enhanced regional cooperation.

Fidan highlighted that, in the past, European leaders, especially from France and Germany, viewed Türkiye’s EU membership as a strategic step for both sides. “In our assessment, Türkiye and Europe in general, Türkiye and France in particular, we need to go back to pre-Sarkozy settings,” Fidan said. Sarkozy served as the French president from 2007 to 2012 and his tenure marked a shift in the EU’s stance on Türkiye.

The Foreign Minister noted that before Sarkozy, EU leaders were focused on integrating Türkiye into the EU as part of broader geostrategic goals, but that over time, Türkiye’s membership became embroiled in domestic politics and identity issues. “Later on, Türkiye’s membership has been treated as part of domestic politics and Türkiye was viewed through the identity politics lenses,” he explained.

Fidan referred to the period between 2007 and 2008 as a “golden time” for EU-Türkiye relations, during which a clear roadmap and reforms were underway. He stressed that restoring a merit-based membership process would strengthen both Türkiye and the EU, underscoring that “Türkiye should unite with Europe to create a more effective force in the region.”

He also outlined two competing visions for Europe’s future: “One is, should Europe be a geostrategic thinker including Türkiye into the club and then create its own centre of gravity in its own region… or stay very much dependent on the other actors for their own security.”

When asked about the possibility of resuming high-level political dialogue, Fidan expressed optimism, referring to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s recent visit to Türkiye. “Our impression is that she would like to have such a possibility, and President Erdogan is certainly very much willing to advance in that direction,” Fidan added.

The Foreign Minister’s comments signal Türkiye’s desire to strengthen its ties with the EU and foster deeper cooperation on a variety of regional and global issues.