ANKARA, Monday, April 4, 2026 (WNP): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday said Europe stands at a “crossroads,” warning that the European Union must either embrace Türkiye’s rising global weight as an opportunity or risk weakening its own future role amid an evolving multipolar world order.

Speaking after the Presidential Cabinet Meeting, Erdoğan said the future of Türkiye–EU relations should be defined by Brussels’ strategic vision rather than Ankara’s position, stressing that Europe cannot become a global actor without Türkiye as a full member.

“Europe stands at a crossroads: it will either view Türkiye’s growing strength and global influence as an opportunity… or allow exclusionary rhetoric to tarnish Europe’s future,” Erdoğan said.

He said the European Union must move beyond political and historical prejudices and build relations with Türkiye “on an equal footing,” adding that such cooperation would benefit the entire European continent.

“We expect decision-makers in Europe to abandon their political and historical prejudices and focus on developing sincere, genuine relations with Türkiye on an equal footing,” he said.

Erdoğan underlined that Türkiye would not accept being treated as a country “remembered only in times of need,” arguing that its constructive approach should be fully recognized rather than taken for granted.

“We are not, and will never be, a country remembered only in times of need… but sidelined the rest of the time,” he said.

He further stated that global power structures are undergoing fundamental transformation, noting that the world is no longer confined to what he called the traditional Western “sphere of influence,” and is instead moving toward a multipolar order shaped by regional cooperation and emerging actors.

“A new world is being formed… and Türkiye stands among the strongest candidates to become one of the poles of the new system,” Erdoğan said.

The Turkish president asserted that Europe’s dependence on Türkiye is increasing, saying: “Today, Europe’s need for Türkiye is greater than Türkiye’s need for Europe; and this need will grow even further tomorrow.”

Reiterating Ankara’s long-term strategic outlook, Erdoğan said Türkiye would continue to advance with “patience and dignity,” guided by national interests and a six-decade pursuit of stronger engagement with Europe.

“Guided by the supreme interests of our nation… we will continue to move forward on this path with patience and dignity, with our heads held high and our honour intact,” he said.