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The imprisoned mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, has called on the European Union not to put Turkey on the same level as Russia and China, stressing that such an approach contradicts geopolitical realities.
In an opinion piece published by Politico, Imamoglu writes that "placing Turkey on the same plane as Russia and China runs counter to the geopolitical realities and the EU's own strategic interests."
He acknowledges that the Turkish government is “undermining the rule of law and fundamental rights,” but at the same time criticizes the European Union for a lack of coherence in its approach to Ankara. According to him, the EU vacillates “between principles and interests, without managing to formulate a clear strategic vision.”
Imamoglu calls on the union to better understand Turkey's history and social realities and "stop seeing the country through fear, clichés and short-term political calculations."
His reaction comes after the statement of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who said that Europe must be strengthened to avoid falling under Russian, Turkish or Chinese influence.
Even former European Council President Charles Michel criticized this stance, calling Turkey a "key NATO ally" and an important partner on migration issues.
Imamoglu, one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rivals, emphasizes that he still supports Turkey's European perspective, but considers that the responsibility for slowing down the integration process falls on both sides.
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