Turkey hopes to turn new page in ties with US, EU: Erdoğan

Turkey hopes to “turn a new page” in its ties with the United States and European Union, President Tayyip Erdoğan said on Wednesday, Dec. 23, noting that Ankara had been subjected to “double standards” by both its NATO ally Washington and the bloc.  

We believe that the new president of America, [U.S. President-elect] Mr. [Joe] Biden, will also pay due attention to Turkish-American relations. We have no prejudice, hostility or animosity toward anyone, Erdoğan told lawmakers from his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Turkey hopes to open a new chapter in its relations with the EU and the U.S. in the new year, the president said.

We do not view our versatile political, economic and military ties as an alternative to our well-established relations with the U.S., he said.

Erdoğan called on the EU to get rid of its “strategical blindness,” which is pushing Turkey away from the European pact.

He stated that “artificial agendas” have tested Turkey’s ties with the EU and the United States in 2020, but he hopes that things would improve.

Turkey is facing double standards both over the eastern Mediterranean and the S-400s. We wish for the EU to rid itself of the strategic blindness that is plaguing it as soon as possible, he said.

To this day, we have gone running to those who took even a single step toward us. We maintain the same sincerity and optimism, he said, adding that Turkey would continue to work for peace, justice and prosperity in the region.

On Dec. 14, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system. The U.S. officials have voiced resistance to the deal, claiming the S-400s would be incompatible with NATO systems and would expose F-35 jets to possible Russian subterfuge.

The U.S. sanctions come at a delicate moment in the fraught relations between Ankara and Washington as Biden gears up to take office on Jan. 20, replacing Republican Donald Trump.

Also, the EU have agreed to impose sanctions on an unspecified number of Turkish officials and entities involved in gas drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean, but they have postponed further decisions such as trade tariffs or an arms embargo until they have consulted with the upcoming U.S. administration.