Politics
EU commissioner calls Türkiye vital partner for regional connectivity
European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica described Türkiye as a key strategic partner for the European Union, highlighting its pivotal location linking Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
In a written interview with Anadolu Agency (AA) following her visit to Ankara on Wednesday, Suica said her appointment as the first European Commissioner for the Mediterranean reflects the EU’s ambition to “step up partnerships” and adopt a more focused approach toward the Mediterranean and the Gulf region, noting that her portfolio also covers Gulf relations.
“A strengthened Mediterranean partnership is a strategic imperative for Europe, because our common security, resilience and prosperity can only be built together,” she said.
Suica said the European Commission has launched the Pact for the Mediterranean, bringing together the EU, member states and southern partners to build a “Common Mediterranean Space” based on shared priorities.
She said her mandate is focused on a “people-centered agenda,” developing partnerships based on “common values and dialogue,” while supporting good governance and mutual interests.
On bilateral relations, she noted the EU is strengthening ties with countries in the Middle East and North Africa through Strategic and Comprehensive Agreements, while working toward Strategic Partnership Agreements with Gulf states.
Highlighting Türkiye’s importance, Suica said: “Türkiye is a key partner for the EU. In today’s rapidly changing global context, a stronger, trust-based partnership is a clear win-win for both sides.”
She said Türkiye plays an important role in the wider Middle East and stressed the need to “deepen cooperation further to ensure stability in this volatile region.”
Referring to her recent visit, Suica said discussions covered regional developments, including the Gulf, tensions involving Iran, as well as the situations in Syria and Gaza.
She also highlighted “triangular cooperation” under the Pact for the Mediterranean, saying Türkiye could participate in initiatives related to economic development, connectivity and energy.
Türkiye’s ‘geostrategic position’
Suica emphasized Türkiye’s strategic connectivity role, saying: “Türkiye’s geostrategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East makes it an important partner for connectivity.”
She recalled EU support for strengthening transport links, particularly the Halkalı-Kapıkule railway line connecting Istanbul to the EU border, describing it as the “largest single grant under the EU’s external financing instruments” and a key part of broader regional connectivity corridors.
She also highlighted Türkiye’s role in the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, the EU’s connectivity agenda linking the EU, South Caucasus and Central Asia, as well as its participation in initiatives such as the Iraqi Development Road.
“Connectivity is not about a single corridor but a network,” she said, adding that cooperation should be deepened, including through frameworks such as the Black Sea strategy, with a focus on “secure, resilient and sustainable connectivity.”
Suica said the Pact for the Mediterranean includes major initiatives on climate resilience and energy transition, notably the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech Initiative (T-MED).
She said the initiative will support investment in clean energy, job creation for young people, trade opportunities and climate goals.
It also aims to integrate electricity markets through cooperation between Mediterranean transmission system operators and energy regulators.
She also highlighted the Blue Mediterranean Partnership, which supports sustainable aquaculture, coastal resilience and the circular economy.
Suica said joint EU efforts have produced results, noting that irregular border crossings along the Eastern Mediterranean route fell by 27% in 2025, continuing a downward trend.
“We cooperate closely with the Turkish authorities on migration-related issues within the framework of the 2016 EU-Türkiye Statement, which continues to work well. Challenges are common and responses need to be coordinated. This is more relevant now than ever, as the war ravages the region,” she said.
“For the moment, we see no large movements of people, but it is important to continue cooperating on preparedness measures,” Suica added.
Mediterranean Pact, Palestine
Addressing the fact that Palestine is one of the stakeholders of the Mediterranean Pact, Suica reiterated the EU’s commitment to a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution,” where Israel and Palestine coexist “within secure and recognised borders.”
“We are therefore working with international partners, including Türkiye, towards reviving this political process,” she said.
Referring to the deteriorating situation in Gaza and the West Bank, she noted measures announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her 2025 State of the Union address, adding that they remain under discussion in the EU Council.
“We continue the diplomatic engagement with Israel to seek improvements on the ground, including release of withheld tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority, registration of international NGOs and access of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Dialogue on these topics with Israel remains crucial for the EU and the region,” Suica said.
Athens is reinforcing its defenses while hoping its allies in the United States will prevent neighboring Türkiye from strengthening its military, pursuing a key defense deal with Israel while opposing the sale of fighter jets to Türkiye.
Turkish-Greek relations have been on the right track for the past couple of years, but tensions remain palpable, especially in light of Athens’ escalating defense spending. This is tied to what Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described as an “open threat of war” from Türkiye during the NATO summit in Ankara earlier this month.
Weeks after his remarks, Greece’s Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) convened on Thursday to give final approval for the purchase of a multilayered air defense system from Israel worth up to 3.5 billion euros ($4 billion), along with several types of drones, two sources told Reuters. KYSEA gave its initial approval earlier this year and is expected to finalize the procurement contracts, an official familiar with the deal told Reuters.
Greece wants to build a multilayered anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft and anti-drone system called the “Achilles Shield.” The system will be built around Israeli radars and missiles manufactured by Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The Greek government has said it plans to spend about 28 billion euros by 2036 to modernize its armed forces, including purchasing up to 40 new F-35 fighter jets from the United States and frigates from France and Italy.
Greece spends nearly 3.5% of its gross domestic product on defense, a higher proportion than many of its NATO allies. Reflecting their close economic and diplomatic ties, Greece and Israel operate an air training center in Greece, conduct annual joint military exercises, and cooperate on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity. Last year, Greece approved the purchase of 36 Israeli-made rocket artillery systems for about 650 million euros. “KYSEA will also approve the purchase of drones from the U.S. and Israel,” the official said. A second official confirmed the details regarding the Israeli air defense system and the drone purchases. Greece currently relies on U.S.-made Patriot systems and Russian-made S-300 systems to protect its airspace.
Thousands of miles away, Athens is hoping one NATO ally will help it counter another. The International Coordinating Committee-Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), a Greek American grassroots organization, is campaigning to block the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed clear support for the sale during his visit to Türkiye for the NATO summit earlier this month. Standing alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the joint news conference in Ankara, Trump said the U.S. was prepared to lift sanctions imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and would consider Türkiye’s return to the F-35 fighter jet program. The sanctions were imposed after Türkiye purchased the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, prompting Washington to remove Ankara from the multinational F-35 program in 2019.
Earlier this week, PSEKA announced that it had sent letters to Congress warning of what it described as the “clear and present danger” posed by the sale of F-35s to Türkiye. The organization argued that such a sale would increase the vulnerability of its allies, Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration, to Türkiye’s threats.
Türkiye and Greece have pursued a rapprochement after decades of hostility, but longstanding disputes continue to complicate relations. Chief among them is the disagreement over maritime boundaries in the Aegean Sea. Greece’s attempts to expand its territorial waters led Türkiye to declare a casus belli, or cause for war, in the 1990s, and that declaration remains in force.
In an interview with Greece’s ERT earlier this month, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said the casus belli had been a “huge burden” on bilateral relations and that it was “long overdue” for Türkiye to revoke the declaration it made in the 1990s.
The two countries, which came close to war over the Aegean during that decade, remain vigilant. While Türkiye has focused on developing its domestic defense industry, Greece has continued to rely on foreign partners to strengthen its military capabilities. Pursuing a doctrine centered on maintaining an effective and powerful navy, Türkiye has spent the past two decades building an indigenous defense industry capable of operating in blue-water environments, shifting regional geopolitical dynamics in its favor. Its navy plays a critical role in securing maritime trade routes in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea while supporting regional stability.
Türkiye plans to begin flight training for its first Eurofighter Typhoon pilots in the United Kingdom next month as part of its procurement program for the multirole fighter aircraft, the Defense Ministry said Thursday.
The ministry said pilot personnel are scheduled to travel to the U.K. in August 2026, with flight training expected to begin shortly after their arrival. Under the agreement signed with the United Kingdom, both pilots and maintenance personnel will continue to be sent for training over the coming years.
On March 25, Türkiye and the U.K. signed a technical, logistical agreement for the maintenance and operation of Eurofighter Typhoon jets, the Turkish ministry announced.
The deal was finalized in London during a visit between Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and British Defense Secretary John Healey.
The agreement focuses on technical and logistical support for the aircraft under the Eurofighter Typhoon Project, said a statement by the ministry. During their talks in the capital, the two defense chiefs also discussed broader cooperation.
Officials confirmed that a separate contract covering the procurement of aircraft, equipment and munitions linked to the program had already been signed last October.
The latest agreement is intended to ensure the long-term maintenance and operational readiness of the jets. Both sides said they were committed to further strengthening defense collaboration in the coming years. Last year, Türkiye signed a deal with the U.K. to buy 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
Britain, a leading partner in the Eurofighter program, has been Türkiye’s most vocal supporter, and the agreement followed months of negotiations between the two capitals after Türkiye overcame a German veto on the sale in 2024.
Türkiye’s interest in the Typhoon was first reported in 2022, as Ankara grew frustrated with prolonged negotiations over the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets from the U.S.
The announcement came during the Defense Ministry’s weekly press briefing, where ministry spokesperson Rear Adm. Zeki Aktürk outlined recent developments in defense procurement and military operations.
Aktürk said Türkiye continues efforts to strengthen the armed forces through domestically developed defense systems. He said the Turkish Land Forces had completed inspection and acceptance procedures for an unspecified number of Fırtına-2 self-propelled howitzers, which have now entered military service.
He also said state-owned defense manufacturer Machinery and Chemical Industry Inc. (MKE) delivered various weapons and ammunition to the armed forces during the past week.
Counterterrorism, border security
Providing an update on security operations, Aktürk said six members of the PKK terrorist group surrendered over the past week, while Turkish forces continued clearing caves, shelters, mines and improvised explosive devices in operational areas.
On border security, the ministry said Turkish authorities detained 466 people attempting to cross the country’s borders illegally during the past week, including one suspected member of a terrorist organization.
Since the beginning of the year, authorities have apprehended 6,485 people attempting illegal crossings, while an additional 42,776 individuals have been prevented from crossing the borders, including 946 stopped during the past week, according to ministry figures.
Former leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Özgür Özel instructed lawmakers siding with him to convene for a technical meeting ahead of the establishment of his new party. Özel did not attend the discussions but was scheduled to hold a separate meeting with lawmakers on Thursday night.
Özel and the lawmakers announced their resignations from the party earlier this week, but the resignations were not yet formal. They are expected to submit their resignation letters to the new administration led by Özel’s predecessor, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, on Friday. Kılıçdaroğlu was reinstated to his post after a court annulled Özel’s chairmanship last May, citing irregularities in the 2023 intra-party vote. Özel has also held talks with members of the CHP’s former party assembly who were either removed or left the body after Kılıçdaroğlu returned to office.
The Özel camp aims for the new party to replace the CHP as the main opposition, which requires holding at least 68 seats in Parliament. Unconfirmed reports say Özel’s new party has the backing of 80 lawmakers currently in the CHP. Figures close to Kılıçdaroğlu, however, say the number of lawmakers supporting Özel will not exceed half of the current parliamentary group and that they do not expect additional members to join later.
Meanwhile, Kılıçdaroğlu’s CHP criticized Özel’s plan to establish a new party. The party’s spokesperson, Müslim Sarı, told reporters on Wednesday that the new party being established by “Manisa lawmaker” Özgür Özel was no different from the CHP in terms of its policies, pointing to Özel’s recent speech in which he said the new party would adhere to the same principles as the CHP. “If you are going down the same path, why do you need a new party?” he said. Sarı added that they had been open to holding a new party congress, as Özel had previously requested, and that Özel and his allies had already been invited to continue their “political struggle” within the CHP. “It seems like they are more interested in having a seat in a new party than advancing their policies,” he said.
Özel’s new party will initially be ineligible for state aid, which is available to political parties that secure a certain number of votes. Parties are required to cross the electoral threshold in the first election they contest to become eligible for state funding. Devlet Bahçeli, leader of government ally the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), told journalists on Thursday that the state aid allocated to the CHP in 2026 should be proportionately diverted to the new party, noting that the Treasury paid more than TL 1.8 billion ($38 million) to the main opposition party this year.
“It is the ethical way,” he added.
Secrecy and silence have fueled rumors about the future of Özgür Özel after he announced that he would establish a new, as-yet-unnamed party. The man who delivered the first tangible success in decades for the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) in the 2024 local elections remains confident of winning the next vote. However, hours after his historic declaration, few people publicly endorsed his new bid.
Among those mentioned was Mansur Yavaş, the Ankara mayor, who is widely viewed as a popular figure and a potential future presidential contender. While the mayors of Adana and Mersin, whom Özel mentioned in his speech on Tuesday while calling on them to join him, signaled their intention to remain in the CHP, Yavaş maintained his silence on Wednesday. Cemil Tugay, the mayor of the CHP stronghold of Izmir in western Türkiye, also reportedly chose to remain in the party.
Earlier on Wednesday, Özel held talks at a hotel in Ankara with the party assembly and central executive board of his new party, as well as lawmakers who have remained loyal to him since he was ousted from the CHP chairmanship in May. His predecessor, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was reinstated by a court ruling, also convened the CHP’s Central Executive Board on Wednesday.
Özel initially decided to remain in the CHP and challenged Kılıçdaroğlu to hold a new intra-party vote, confident that he would defeat him again. However, as the process dragged on and public pressure mounted, Özel changed his mind and began working to establish a new party.
The party, rumored to be named “Istiklal” (“Independence”), is expected to be ready in time for the 2028 presidential election. However, it will not be eligible to receive Treasury funding allocated to most political parties under Turkish law, which stipulates that a newly established party must secure at least 3% of the vote in the first election it contests. This means Özel and his associates will have to rely on private donations, which could prove challenging.
Key figures close to Özel have also been accused of buying votes in the 2023 intra-party election that ended Kılıçdaroğlu’s leadership. Özel’s name has also surfaced in an investigation involving CHP mayors who allegedly confessed to handing over large sums of cash, either personally or through intermediaries, to Özel and his aides to secure their candidacies. Moreover, CHP municipalities have already suffered reputational damage, as multiple mayors and municipal bureaucrats stand accused of running criminal networks involved in bribery and tender rigging.
Media outlets reported that Özel’s new party could secure up to 90 seats in Parliament through defections from the CHP. If that happens, it would become the second-largest party in Parliament.
In his speech on Tuesday – his last as the CHP parliamentary group chair following his removal from the position in May – Özel said the split within the CHP stemmed from disagreements over the party’s future amid its declining public support. He said some within the party argued for maintaining the current course and focusing on the next local elections, while others warned that the CHP risked losing voters unless it embraced change.
Describing the current state of the main opposition, Özel said: “People will not go into another local election with us if we continue like this. If we act this way, they will turn their backs on us. Voter turnout will fall to a historic low. Don’t you see the polls? The party has dropped to around 13% or 14% and continues to decline.”
He added: “A major defeat is coming. After another local election disaster, people will lose hope in the ballot box altogether. We have to act.”
One crew member was killed and three others injured on Wednesday in a drone attack on a Turkish-flagged vessel in the Black Sea. It is the latest security incident in the vast body of water, where the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to threaten maritime safety.
Turkish media outlets reported that the MV Reyhan Sarı was carrying coal from Russia’s Port of Taman in the Sea of Azov to the northern Turkish province of Trabzon when it came under attack in international waters off Türkiye’s Samsun coast. The vessel resumed its voyage after the attack, while the injured crew members were taken ashore for treatment. Turkish authorities did not issue an official statement on the incident, which is suspected to have been carried out by a Ukrainian drone.
More than three years of the Russia-Ukraine war have jeopardized maritime security in the Black Sea. Türkiye has witnessed several drones of Russian or Ukrainian origin crash on its territory, while uncrewed armed naval vessels have frequently washed ashore. In response to growing threats, Türkiye, Romania and Bulgaria established a maritime security initiative primarily tasked with clearing stray naval mines in the Black Sea.
Ukraine’s navy said on Sunday that Russian missile strikes on a Turkish-owned cargo ship carrying grain had killed five people on board, while another five crew members were reported missing.
According to the Ukrainian navy, Russia fired three cruise missiles at the Golden Leo, which sails under the flag of Guinea-Bissau, as it was “leaving the combat zone with a cargo of grain.”
“This is yet another deliberate strike by Russia against an unarmed civilian vessel flying a foreign flag that posed no military threat whatsoever,” the navy said in a statement.
“The attack constitutes an act of terrorism against peaceful navigation and a gross violation of international humanitarian law,” it added.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan raised the issue during a visit to Kyiv last week.
“The safety of navigation and commercial security in the Black Sea are of vital importance. I discussed this both with the Russian side during my visit to Moscow and with my esteemed counterpart here. It is an important matter for us and for all Black Sea countries,” Fidan said at a joint news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Fidan also recalled that the United Nations had proposed maintaining commitments to energy security and the safety of navigation in the Black Sea even as the war continues.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek on Wednesday hosted his Saudi counterpart, Walid bin Muhammad Al Samaani, in Ankara. During the meeting, the two ministers exchanged views on strengthening judicial cooperation between their countries.
Gürlek highlighted the close ties between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, citing cooperation across various fields, from the economy to defense. He said the two countries attach particular importance to cooperation in the fields of law and justice.
“We are members of a shared civilization that embraces the principle that ‘Justice is the religion of the state,'” Gürlek said.
He stressed that they aim to reflect the strong vision set out by the leaders of the two countries in the field of law and justice and to develop practical and effective cooperation that will benefit both peoples.
Gürlek said that the Century of Türkiye Vision and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 both underscore the importance of strong, efficient and accessible justice systems. He added that increasing mutual delegation visits and strengthening direct contacts between legal experts would make a significant contribution to bilateral relations.
The justice minister also noted that Türkiye has implemented numerous reforms in recent years to make judicial services faster and more accessible. He said the digitalization of the judiciary, the development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and improving citizens’ access to justice remain among the country’s priorities.
Gürlek said the National Judiciary Informatics System (UYAP) enables judicial processes in Türkiye to be conducted digitally and added that the country is ready to share its expertise in digital justice.
“We are prepared to share with the Saudi Ministry of Justice our experience in the digitalization of the judiciary, artificial intelligence-supported applications, cybersecurity, judicial cooperation and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms,” he said.
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