Europe Day message from President Erdoğan

According to a statement made by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications on its social media account, Erdoğan stated in his congratulatory message that Europe Day, observed every year on May 9, is a symbol of the European political and economic integration process that began with the Schuman Declaration in 1950.

President Erdoğan emphasized that the European Union, where European integration has taken shape, is facing multidimensional global and regional challenges in recent years, stating, "The future of the European security architecture is being debated; the silence maintained regarding the massacres that have been ongoing in Gaza for 19 months and the inability to develop an effective policy to stop Israel's attacks are leading to the questioning of the Union's values."

"A GUARANTEE FOR THE SURVIVAL OF THE UNION"

Underlining that the European Union needs a visionary and courageous perspective today, just as it did in the years when the foundations of integration were laid, Erdoğan said, "In these difficult times, an inclusive and integrative European Union that is not held captive by the interests of individual members and focuses on the common interests of the continent is in everyone's best interest. Despite all the obstacles it faces, our country, which is a candidate for European Union membership, is also a guarantee for the survival of the Union with the humanitarian, peaceful, and constructive policies it pursues in crises and conflicts, and the fair solutions it puts forward."

President Erdoğan concluded his message as follows:

"Indeed, the recent transatlantic and global developments that have affected the entire world and caused a review of traditional policies have once again revealed the importance of Turkey-Union relations. Despite the unfair stance occasionally taken against our country by certain individuals and groups who claim to represent European Union institutions, I believe that the Union will demonstrate the foresight to act with a long-term and strategic perspective based on mutual benefit in the coming period. On this occasion, I congratulate the peoples of Europe, especially my own citizens, on Europe Day."

News Source: 12punto