Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday called on Europe to take more responsibility for its own security and not rely on protection from the United States. This follows from a statement provided to AFP by a source from the Turkish Ministry of Diplomacy.
“The war in Ukraine and the changing strategic priorities of the United States leave Europe no choice but to take greater responsibility for its own security,” Fidan said at a conference in Lisbon. “As Europeans, we are all in the same boat. Guaranteeing the security of our own home is an existential necessity. We cannot delegate our security to others,” he emphasized. However, Fidan said that his country, which is a candidate for joining the European Union, is kept aside by the bloc.
“Despite formal commitments to cooperate with non-EU allies, Turkey has been excluded from EU security and defense frameworks for years,” said Fidal. “The reason is clear. Europe’s broader strategic interests have become hostage to the narrow national interests of a few member states,” he added.
