Turkish foreign minister criticizes EU decision-making process in Vienna

During a press conference in Vienna alongside Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized the European Union's internal decision-making structures. Fidan argued that a single member state with a population under one million can effectively block strategic initiatives supported by the rest of the bloc. He suggested that such dynamics currently hinder Turkey-EU relations, specifically affecting cooperation in security, infrastructure, and digital development. The minister noted that the trade volume between Turkey and the EU is approximately 250 billion dollars, with the potential to reach 500 billion dollars if the Customs Union is modernized. Fidan also questioned the lack of clear political will regarding Turkey's full EU membership bid, emphasizing that Turkey has already met significant criteria. He stated that while Turkey does not seek unconditional membership, the EU must internally resolve the issue of individual members holding broader strategic goals hostage. He further highlighted Turkey's potential role as an energy hub for the European continent.