European Commission clarifies Ursula von der Leyen's remarks on Turkey's regional influence

During a speech at an event for the newspaper Die Zeit in Hamburg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the European continent must be completed to prevent it from falling under the influence of Russia, Turkey, or China. She argued that the previous European model, relying on cheap Russian energy and Chinese labor, has ended and requires a new geopolitical approach. The Turkish news agency Anadolu requested clarification, specifically asking how the President equates a NATO member and EU candidate country with geopolitical rivals. In response, European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho stated that von der Leyen's comments were not intended to equate Turkey with adversaries. Pinho explained that as an EU candidate, Turkey holds a specific responsibility in its region and must act in accordance with European values. The Commission noted it does not ignore Turkey's influence, but emphasized the need for regional alignment with EU standards, particularly in the Western Balkans.