Erdogan urged Macron to take Turkey into account when shaping a new European security system

At the NATO summit in The Hague, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for Turkey to be included in the formation of a new European security architecture. This was reported by the administration of the head of state, stressing that although Turkey is not part of the EU, as a NATO member it remains a strategic partner of European countries and wants to play a more active role in the continent's defence processes.

During bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, Erdogan emphasised: Europe needs a broader alliance to build a modern security system, in which Turkey should be a full participant.

In turn, Bloomberg notes that the Turkish leader has long been interested in the joint development and purchase of the European anti-aircraft missile system SAMP/T, produced by the consortium Eurosam, created by France and Italy. The system, equipped with the Aster family of missiles, is designed to repel attacks by aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, protecting both troops and fixed installations.

Ankara sees SAMP/T as a key component in the creation of its own missile defence shield, the Steel Dome project, which is scheduled to be launched in the next two to three years. Erdogan expects Macron's approval to speed up the implementation of these plans and strengthen Turkey's defence capabilities," the publication writes.

Amid tensions in the Middle East and escalation between Israel and Iran, Erdogan last week ordered an increase in the production of Turkish medium- and long-range missiles. This, according to Ankara, should strengthen national security and increase its standing in NATO.

Bloomberg specifies: the Turkish president seeks not only technical cooperation, but also political recognition of the country as an important element of the European defence system.

At the same time, France has so far been reticent to Ankara's requests: the last time Turkey tried to agree on the purchase of SAMP/T back in 2020, but Macron gave a negative answer.

Now, given the new realities and the changed balance of power, Turkey hopes that Paris will be more open to dialogue," the newspaper points out.