Ankara has harshly criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for recent controversial remarks in which she grouped Turkey with Russia and China as external influences and rivals of the EU. The spokesperson for Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Ömer Çelik, described this stance as “a very serious mental and political contradiction,” noting that it reflects the lack of unity and vision of a European Union that is rapidly losing influence and which, for some, remains “a Christian club.”
In remarks made on April 22 and reported by the Turkish news agency Anatolia, Çelik reacted to Von der Leyen’s comments, who stated this week during an event in Hamburg that “We must succeed in completing (the EU’s expansion to encompass) the European continent so that it does not fall under Russian, Turkish, or Chinese influence”: statements that the Turkish spokesperson argued reinforce criticism of the EU enlargement process, as he believes the Commission has abandoned an approach to European integration and the Union’s enlargement based on values.
Çelik, who emphasized that these remarks by the President of the European Commission imply serious problems of all kinds within the EU, further denounced that Brussels approaches this process with a “Christian club” mentality, which, in his view, highlights fundamental problems in the EU’s strategy. “First of all, she views Turkey, a candidate country for the European Union, as a rival to the European Union. But if the goal is the integration of the Balkans (into the EU), one of the greatest facilitators (of this process) is Türkiye,” he stated, highlighting Turkey’s vision for the region, which is based on peace and opposed to divisive policies.
“That Von der Leyen includes Turkey among the countries she views as opposed to the European Union is, of course, a serious intellectual and political contradiction,” insisted the spokesperson, who drew attention to the need to review the EU’s own vision for the Balkans. Focusing on the internal tensions within the bloc, Çelik pointed to the persistent problem for the EU posed by differing positions on decision-making between the countries of Western Europe and those of the Balkan region (Southeast Europe), as well as the growing differences between the Franco-German axis and the Mediterranean countries. According to Çelik, these divergences reflect “a lack of European vision” that affects the very functioning of the EU.
The EU has no common policy
Likewise, the Turkish politician argued that Ankara’s concept of “European values” differs significantly from that currently held by the European Commission. “We are always talking about integration based on political values; but the European Commission keeps going in circles,” lamented Çelik, who questioned the lack of vision in Brussels, which continues to view a Europe where the founding countries of Western Europe dominate the rest. This, in his view, has consequences not only for its policies toward Turkey, but also internally; which ultimately leads to one question: “Is the European Union a unified whole?”, he asked.
“Is there a consensus among EU countries on a common policy in terms of values and political practices? Not at all,” he emphasized. “For example, there is a world of difference between Germany’s approach to Israel and that of Spain. While statements by German politicians tend to excuse and legitimize the actions of Israel, Spain stands on the right side of history and adopts a firm stance against murderous Zionism… This lack of vision is, in fact, something that extends to other areas as well.”
“The European Union lacks any political clout”
Recalling that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan frequently asserts that “If the EU wants to become a global power, it must include Turkey as a full member,” Çelik asserted that the refusal to move in that direction has only led to the European bloc’s political clout becoming increasingly weaker. “Today, Europe is an economic giant, but, unfortunately, an ineffective political entity. One need only look at the current debates regarding NATO, the situation arising from the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, the Gaza issue, or the war between Ukraine and Russia: the European Union lacks any political clout and does not constitute a center of gravity.”
Returning to Von der Leyen’s controversial statements, Erdoğan’s AKP spokesperson reiterated that “positioning Turkey, a candidate country for the European Union and a prominent member of NATO, as a rival, actually demonstrates that the European Union has completely lost its political composure. It highlights just how devoid of substance the European Union is, not only when it comes to addressing regional events in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea with a forward-looking vision, but even in the Balkans, which are right at the EU’s doorstep.”
“The EU’s greatest rival is its own lack of vision”
“Some actors, spokespersons, etc., are trying to salvage the situation, but it doesn’t seem like something that can be fixed,” he warned. Recalling that negotiations on Turkey’s EU candidacy are completely stalled, Çelik emphasized that Turkey is a strong state in the Balkans, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, Asia, and Europe: “Therefore, these statements about Türkiye demonstrate once again that the European Union should not seek rivals abroad. The European Union’s greatest rival is its own lack of vision; but we will not respond with the same lack of vision. As a candidate country, we will continue to insist on what the European vision should be in the current world of conflict. We will continue to say that the European Union should be a Europe of values, not a Christian club.”
“Greece, a member of the European Union, and the Greek Cypriot government, are collaborating with Israel in the Mediterranean. However, Spain, also an EU member, is taking a firm and noble stance against Israel’s genocidal actions. It seems that Europe is not united when it comes to policymaking,” lamented the Turkish spokesperson. “Therefore, what (Von der Leyen) said about Turkey is not something that will harm Turkey in any way… It is merely a statement that confirms her own lack of vision,” Çelik warned.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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