UPDATE - Europe cannot build credible security framework without Türkiye: President Erdogan

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY TURKISH PRESIDENT; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Asiye Latife Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - Europe cannot build a credible security framework without Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, speaking aboard a return flight from Ethiopia.

Erdogan added that he hopes that this has been understood.

“For years, we have highlighted Türkiye’s positive contributions to the EU in many areas. It is long overdue for Türkiye to be included in Europe’s existing defense and security mechanisms,” he said.

Erdogan stressed that the world is changing, and said: “How long can the EU remain captive to narrow agendas in this era of rapid transformation?”

The wise choice is to remove ideological barriers to Türkiye’s integration with Europe and strengthen Europe’s power, he added.

“Excluding Türkiye and ignoring global realities is illogical. Establishing a new defense architecture in Europe. … If they intend to do so, it is obvious that it cannot be effectively done without Türkiye,” the president stressed.

Underlining that the Turkish Armed Forces is among the largest and most capable in NATO, Erdogan said Ankara’s confidence in its military is complete. “This allows us to demonstrate capability not only at the negotiating table but also on the field,” he said.

- Board of Peace meeting

Erdogan also noted that an invitation to the first meeting of Washington's Board of Peace on Gaza has been received, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend.

He expressed hope that the board would contribute to the long-desired stability, ceasefire, and ultimately, peace in Gaza.

“In my view, the Gaza issue is a test of humanity’s conscience. We have clearly shown our stance from day one. The suffering of our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza must end,” the president said, adding that the aim is a permanent ceasefire, delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza without interruption, and strengthening the basis for a two-state solution.

Erdogan underscored that Türkiye has clearly stated it will support any initiative beneficial to the people of Gaza.

- Long-time partnership with Ethiopia

Stressing that Türkiye has “never been colonialist in any period of our history,” Erdogan said Ankara has always seen the people of Africa as brothers and friends. “Today, the reason all eyes are on our country on the continent is precisely our spotless record.”

“Mutual respect and equal partnership are the foundation, compass, and unchanging principle of our Africa policy. We have never looked at African issues with a self-interest-driven or partisan perspective, and we do not,” the president said.

He noted that this approach has also contributed to the success of Türkiye’s humanitarian diplomacy and peace diplomacy efforts.

“We know that peace is not achieved by words but by will, and we act accordingly. Is Türkiye capable of establishing such peace? Certainly, yes, let no one doubt it. Thank God, we are not alone. Our voice and influence are now much stronger,” Erdogan said.

Türkiye will develop its relations with Africa and advance its cooperation in every field, especially trade and investment, Erdogan said.

Noting that Ankara has increased the number of its embassies on the continent to 44, the president said: “When we took power, this number was 12. Currently, 38 African embassies operate in Ankara.”

He emphasized that Turkish contractors have also undertaken more than 2,000 projects in Africa with a total value of $100 billion. “The market value of our investments across the continent exceeds $15 billion.”

“In 2025, our foreign trade volume with Africa approached $35 billion with a 10% increase,” Erdogan said.

He added that tens of thousands of students from different parts of Africa are currently studying in Turkish universities, saying that Turkish graduates actively serve in many fields, from politics to business, academia, and civil society, in many African countries.

Expressing his pleasure to visit Ethiopia, “one of Africa’s leading countries,” after approximately 11 years, Erdogan thanked Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Ethiopian authorities for the warm welcome and hospitality they showed.

He said that they addressed trade, investment, defense industry, energy, transportation, and many other issues in the talks.

“We reviewed the necessary steps to reach our $1 billion trade volume target. We also discussed opportunities to increase Turkish investments. We signed documents in the fields of economy and energy,” Erdogan added.

Calling Ethiopia an “important hub” for flights in Africa, the president said that for this reason, they are advancing a major airport project, saying that Turkish companies can greatly contribute to the project.

“Ethiopia, strategically important in the Horn of Africa, is also the region’s largest country. With its long-established state tradition and population of approximately 130 million, it has great potential,” Erdogan said.

He also emphasized that Addis Ababa, which hosts the African Union and UN organizations, “is regarded as the diplomatic capital of Africa,” noting that Ankara’s first embassy in Sub-Saharan Africa was opened in Addis Ababa in 1926, which shows that this ancient city “has been at the heart of our relations with the African continent since the early days of our Republic.”

Erdogan noted that just before his visit, Ethiopia hosted the African Union Summit, and next year it will host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). As Türkiye is hosting COP this year, it plans to share its conference experiences with Ethiopia, he added.

“If we want to evaluate Africa’s potential, one of the key paths undoubtedly passes through Ethiopia,” Erdogan stressed, noting that Türkiye has a history of close cooperation with Ethiopia through the Ankara Process. “With the Ankara Declaration adopted in December 2024, we strengthened trust between Ethiopia and Somalia. We have achieved important work together, and we will continue to do so.”

Stressing that the visit to Addis Ababa reflects Türkiye’s partnership policy with Africa, Erdogan said he discussed continental issues and the African Union’s role in the upcoming 4th Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summit with AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

Stating that visiting the homeland of King Najashi before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan was especially meaningful, Erdogan extended greetings to Ethiopian Muslims and expressed hope that the visit will promote regional peace, stability, and positive outcomes.

- Türkiye closely monitors Syria’s fight against terrorism

The president also said the steps toward full Syrian integration are closely monitored, and necessary guidance is given for implementing the agreement.

“We are advancing toward our ‘Terror-free Türkiye’ goal with careful yet determined, cautious yet solid steps. We have embarked on a good endeavor, and we will succeed,” Erdogan said, noting that this strong determination in the country has now extended to Syria as well.

Erdogan said the positive developments supporting Ankara’s ideal of a terror-free region are taking place in Syria, and that “pleases us.”

Stressing that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa continues with assured steps, Erdogan reiterated that combating terrorism is not only a security issue but also has legal and social dimensions.

“We are closely monitoring this with our parliamentary and commission colleagues. With patience, wisdom, and determination, the long-standing terror issue harming our country will eventually be removed from our agenda,” the president said.

- Ankara in contact with Iran, US and hopes for dialogue

“We conveyed to all our counterparts that Türkiye is against military intervention in Iran,” Erdogan also said.

He stressed that Türkiye wants the issues between Iran and the US to be resolved through dialogue, noting that Ankara is in top-level contact with both countries, noting his recent talks with both the Iranian and US presidents.

“We discussed the possible paths forward. We are a country that builds bridges, not walls, that lays the groundwork for peace rather than fueling conflicts. A new war targeting Iran would gain nothing and instead destabilize the region,” Erdogan said.

He emphasized Ankara’s approach of positivity, advocating peace, and added that any military escalation would push “our region further into uncertainty.”

“As long as the door to diplomacy remains open, there is hope, and we will preserve and strengthen this hope,” Erdogan said.