By Esra Tekin
ISTANBUL (AA) - Europe planning all steps on the continent’s security together with Türkiye would be in the interests of both sides, said the Turkish president on Friday.
'We believe there is no justification for excluding us from the EU's defense products procurement or reconstruction programs,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an address to an online meeting organized by the European Union.
Türkiye is continuing its EU membership bid, said Erdogan, adding: “We expect the EU to adopt a more strategic approach to revitalizing our membership negotiations.”
Erdogan underlined the importance of including Türkiye in such mechanisms as the European Peace Facility, focused on the reconstruction and revitalization of Ukraine.
Touching on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Erdogan also stressed the importance of a strong diplomatic foundation where both sides fighting for a fair and honorable peace are at the table.
In the war, Türkiye supports the idea of an immediate ceasefire and a cessation of attacks in the air and at sea as a confidence-building measure between parties, he added.