NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called for closer cooperation between EU and Turkish leaders. According to him, Europe needs this strong ally, as it increasingly has to defend itself, the Dutch National News Agency ANP reported, quoted by BTA.
The European Union and Turkey have had a complicated relationship for years. Turkey's accession to the EU, which is a candidate member, has stalled, and the process has been suspended several times.
The EU accuses Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of authoritarian tendencies, while member states Greece and Cyprus complain about unresolved disputes. In addition, Turkey does not fully support Ukraine and does not join international sanctions against Russia, maintaining ties with the Kremlin.
As Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rutte had several sharp clashes with Erdogan.
In early February, Rutte said that EU leaders should try to restore damaged relations with Erdogan. The Secretary General stressed the importance of the Turkish arms industry, especially in the context of the need for Europe to quickly rearm and continue to help Ukraine.
Turkey, as a member of NATO, has the second largest army among the 32 member states of the alliance after the United States. Earlier this month, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan joined discussions about a "coalition of the willing" that wants to protect Ukraine after a future ceasefire or peace agreement. Fidan said that Turkey is open to participating in a new security arrangement in Europe after the American withdrawal.