Turkey pursues a balanced foreign policy: Erdogan aide – Anadolu Agency
By Enes Kaplan
ANKARA
Turkey has been pursuing a balanced foreign policy between the East and the West, presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said Wednesday.
Speaking at a meeting with the representatives of international media organizations in the Turkish capital, Kalin said Turkeys NATO membership did not prevent Ankara from establishing close relations with Russia, China or other countries.
"Foreign police is not a zero sum game to us. Getting closer to Russia does not need to have a negative impact on our relations with the U.S. and Europe.
"In the same manner, being a NATO ally does not mean that we will completely cut off our relations with Russia, China, African countries or Latin America," he said, adding Turkeys geopolitical position necessitated a multifaceted foreign policy.
Kalin said Turkey shared closer views with Russia in some issues, while sharing similar views with the U.S. and E.U in some others.
"It is impossible to reduce foreign policy to a single bloc under the current circumstances. Instead, we are pursuing a balanced policy between the East and West.
"Moreover the developments in economy and security force us to adopt a wider perspective," Kaln said.
Erdogan's aide also commented on the future of Turkey-EU relations, associating the lack of "desired momentum" in the accession process with the anti-EU, anti-Turkey and anti-refugee sentiment across the continent.
"If the EU is suffering from 'enlargement fatigue', they should know that Turkey is also feeling tired and indignant because the membership process is not moving forward".
Kaln reiterated that the EU had yet to fulfil its commitment to Turkey over a refugee deal signed in March 2016, and went on to say that issues with the visa-free travel agreement could be resolved if the European Commission presented a "reasonable" offer.
Signed on March 18, 2016, the agreement aims to discourage irregular migration through the Aegean Sea by taking stricter measures against human traffickers and improving conditions for nearly 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey.
The deal included a 6 billion euro ($6.8 billion) aid package to help Turkey care for millions of refugees hosted in the country. However, Turkey has so far received only 677 million euros ($716 million).
Turkey is hosting the largest number of Syrian refugees in the world, and has so far spent around $25 billion on the refugees.
Ankara is also criticizing the EU for not honoring its promises to relocate some of the Syrian refugees from Turkey.
As of Dec. 5, 2016, 2,761 Syrian refugees have been resettled from Turkey to Europe while 1,187 irregular migrants have been returned from the Greek islands to Turkey, according to the European Commission. Europe had agreed to take 72,000.
The deal also allows for the acceleration of Turkeys EU membership bid and visa-free travel for Turkish nationals within the Schengen area, on the condition that Ankara meets 72 requirements set by the EU.
While Turkey has fulfilled most of the criteria, differences between Brussels and Ankara on anti-terror legislation have forestalled the visa liberalization deal.
Changing counter-terrorism legislation is a key condition of the visa-free travel agreement between the 28-member bloc and Turkey.
Read more:
Turkey pursues a balanced foreign policy: Erdogan aide - Anadolu Agency
- Erdogan accuses the opposition of wrecking Turkey's economy during protests over mayor's jailing - The Associated Press - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- 'The police are coming to kill us': Inside Turkey's uprising against Erdogan - Israel Hayom - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan was emboldened to jail Istanbul mayor by global turmoil, analysts say - The Associated Press - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan Tells Putin Cooperation With Russia Key to Resolving Regional Conflicts - The Moscow Times - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Turkey detains journalists as protests grow over the jailing of key Erdogan rival - The Associated Press - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan Bets World Will Turn a Blind Eye to Turmoil in Turkey - Bloomberg - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- What's Erdogan's end game with Imamoglu's arrest? - Middle East Eye - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan turns sights on opposition CHP with his main rival in jail - The Hazard Herald - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Protesters take to streets of Istanbul again over arrest of Erdogan's rival - FRANCE 24 English - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan turns sights on opposition CHP with his main rival in jail - RFI English - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Trkiye, Russia cooperation is key to resolving regional issues President Erdogan - TRT World - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- In photos and videos: Turkey cracks down on protests after Erdogan rival is jailed - The Washington Post - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan turns sights on opposition CHP with his main rival in jail - News-shield - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan Is Trying to Divide and Conquer Turkeys Opposition - Foreign Policy - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- News Wrap: Turkey police crack down on protests that erupted after arrest of Erdogan rival - PBS NewsHour - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Turkey detains journalists as protests over the jailing of key Erdogan rival rock the country - ABC News - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Cash Arsenal Allows Erdogan to Weather His Worst Crisis in Years - Bloomberg - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan arrests the candidate who could beat him - The Economist - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Arrested and stripped of degree: Twin moves to bar Istanbul mayor from ballot suggests Turkeys Erdogan is really worried this time - The Conversation... - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Police arrest Istanbul mayor and key Erdogan rival over alleged corruption and terrorist links - NBC News - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Key Erdogan rival's university diploma is revoked in a move that blocks him from Turkey's election - The Associated Press - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Turkish authorities arrest key rival of Erdogan; critics say it's 'no coincidence' - Fox News - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Istanbul mayor, a key Erdogan rival, arrested; internet restrictions imposed in Turkey - The Times of Israel - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Erdogan: The Zionist regime has once again proven itself to be a terrorist state - Middle East Monitor - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- The arrest of Istanbuls mayor could backfire for Erdogan - The Spectator - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- "The violinist is not needed": Moscow will no longer worry about the loss of Erdogan - Eurasia Daily - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Turkeys Erdogan calls Israel a terror state that feeds on blood - The Times of Israel - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Erdogan dismisses as theatrics criticism of Istanbul mayor detention By Reuters - Investing.com - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Bipartisan legislation seeks to rein in Erdogan's Turkey over ties to US foes - Fox News - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Erdogan Calls for Turkey to be Included in EU Security Framework - tovima.com - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- "One nation two states" Erdogan commented on the meeting with Aliyev - Eurasia Daily - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Erdogan sees new phase in terror-free Turkey after PKK leaders call to disarm - The Arab Weekly - March 3rd, 2025 [March 3rd, 2025]
- Turkey will resume operations against PKK if disarmament stalls, Erdogan says - The Times of Israel - March 3rd, 2025 [March 3rd, 2025]
- Turkeys Erdogan makes risky bet on peace with Kurds - The Irish Times - March 3rd, 2025 [March 3rd, 2025]
- Starmer discusses with Erdogan war in Ukraine and upcoming summit in London - RBC-Ukraine - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Trump and Erdogan: Corrupt Friends or Civilizational Foes? - The Century Foundation - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Erdogan claims only Trkiye can rescue the European Union - Weekly Blitz - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- President Erdogan calls on EU to take solid actions to enhance ties with Trkiye - Trkiye Today - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- US-Turkey ties: How Trump and Erdogan's new and old problems may impact Israel - opinion - The Jerusalem Post - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Turkiye ranks 11th globally in defense industry exports: President Erdogan - Middle East Monitor - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Erdogan offers to organize talks between Russia and Ukraine - Yahoo - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Middle East strategy central during Turkish President Erdogan's visit to Pakistan, experts say - Voice of America - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Trumps plan to oust Gazans from eternal homeland unworthy of discussion - The Times of Israel - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Erdogan Forever: Behind Turkeys Latest Crackdown - The Globalist - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Turkey's Erdogan lashes out at Israel on a visit to Pakistan and laments the tragedy of Gaza - The Killeen Daily Herald - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Erdogan says forced Palestinian displacement will be pure atrocity - Egypt Today - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Indonesia's Prabowo, Turkey's Erdogan agree to bolster ties - The Times of India - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Erdogan to visit Prabowo this week - The Jakarta Post - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Terrorist groups must understand they have no place in Syria: Erdogan - Trkiye Today - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Erdogan Critics Rattled By Spate of Arrests and Investigations in Turkey - Bloomberg - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Is Erdogan eying run in 2028? Kurdish situation in Syria will have 'huge impact on domestic agenda' - FRANCE 24 English - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Erdogan taking over? Emerging Turkey-Syria agreement revealed - Israel Hayom - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Erdogan and Steinmeier emphasize Trkiye-Germany cooperation on Syria, Gaza, and Ukraine - Trkiye Today - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- New law expands state control over opposition, paving the way for Erdogan to choose his rival ahead of elections - Nordic Research and Monitoring... - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- "The struggle will escalate": Erdogan is already calculating the possible risks - Eurasia Daily - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- President Erdogan expected to visit Damascus ahead of Ramadan: Report - Trkiye Today - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Trkiye to aid Syria in rebuilding cities and infrastructure, Erdogan declares - Caliber.Az - - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Erdogan's son-in-law buys Italian aerospace company to overcome embargoes and restrictions - Nordic Research and Monitoring Network - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Syria, where Netanyahu and Erdogan converge - The Cradle - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Erdogan Claims Thessaloniki is Part of Turkey, in Latest Tirade - tovima.com - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- We will secure over 50% of vote in 2028: President Erdogan - Trkiye Today - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Is Erdogan really the big winner in Syria? - Kathimerini English Edition - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- VOA Kurdish: Erdogan will renegotiate relationship with Trump administration - VOA Asia - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Israel attacks Syrian forces shortly after Turkey's Erdogan calls for end to 'aggression' - Middle East Eye - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Israel rebuffs imperialist Turkey after Erdogan says it must withdraw from Syria - The Times of Israel - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan defies foreign powers in Syria and demands an end to their intervention - Atalayar EN - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Israeli government must not be allowed to violate ceasefire: Turkiye President Erdogan - Middle East Monitor - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan expects talks with Putin on gas for Slovakia - - - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Lukashenko expressed condolences to Erdogan over numerous victims of a resort fire - - - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan says Turkey ready to intervene to prevent any division of Syria - Al Arabiya English - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- History will confirm Trkiye's righteous stance on Gaza: President Erdogan - Anadolu Agency | English - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- President Erdogan is my friend and someone I respect: Trump - Trkiye Today - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Turkey ready to act if Syrias territorial integrity is threatened - Public Radio of Armenia - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan urges citizens to boycott overpriced food amid falling inflation in Trkiye - Trkiye Today - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan's dream and Syria..., Is Turkey planning to attack Israel? Netanyahu asked to... - India.com - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan favors allowing Syrian refugees to remain in Turkey due to political and economic considerations - Nordic Research and Monitoring Network - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Kurdish PM Barzani with Turkiyes Erdogan: Syria situation on the table - Shafaq News - Shafaq News - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan: We defeated ISIS, which tried to be reactivated - baha news - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Trkiye ready to intervene to prevent any division of Syria: Erdogan - Trkiye Today - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan to visit Syria at the head of a large delegation - Mehr News Agency - English Version - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]