[ad_1]
Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu celebrated Europe Day on Saturday, which is celebrated on May 9 of each year, with an open call for the creation of deeper ties between the EU and Turkey.
“I give my best wishes to all European citizens this Europe Day, especially our citizens,” he said in a statement, adding that “Turkey is open to all sincere and meaningful cooperation for our common future.”
“Turkey’s attitude during the coronavirus crisis has shown that we are ready to cooperate. Therefore, we hope that the EU adopts a rational policy that goes beyond the narrow national perspectives of the Member States and reflects the overall responsibilities of the Union, as well as the EU motto of “unity in diversity”, he said .
After exposing the common interests of Turkey and the bloc, he added that strengthening cooperation between Turkey and the EU in all areas was “important not only for our own interests but also for the future of our region and the international system.”
Çavuşoğlu also referred to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic, intensifying geopolitical competition, threats against multilateralism and regional conflicts are challenging the entire world. At this moment in which the international system is going through a transformation full of uncertainties and conflicts, the EU needs to establish new partnerships while improving cooperation and solidarity with its allies, “he said.
“As a candidate country, Turkey is ready to make any contribution to the EU to become a consistent, responsible and principled global actor committed to its founding values. Turkey is one of the countries making the largest contribution to the Union to overcome these current challenges, “he added, stressing that Turkey would further contribute to the strength of Europe if it were a member state.
