AKP spokesperson rebukes Macron over pro-Greece remarks

ANKARA

The spokesperson for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has denounced French President Emmanuel Macron's recent expressions of support for Greece regarding regional tensions with Türkiye.

"We see that France is displaying unnecessary generosity and audacity in using certain extreme rhetoric against Türkiye. This is not the right approach," Ömer Çelik said late on April 28 following a top AKP meeting.

Çelik described as "extremely wrong" the practice of framing tensions between NATO allies while speaking in support of another alliance member.

"While Greece has the opportunity to resolve its issues with Türkiye at the negotiating table, what will it gain by constantly pursuing certain alliances and escalating anti-Türkiye rhetoric?” he said. “They keep resorting to these kinds of side paths."

During an event hosted by daily Kathimerini in Athens on April 25, Macron said France could be counted on should Greece ever face a threat from Türkiye.

"We will be here... That is the definition of friendship. The French-Greek alliance – this is it," Macron said. "If your sovereignty is at risk, do what you have to do; we will be here."

Çelik also renewed criticism of European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen over remarks that grouped Türkiye with Russia and China as external influences.

"Fanatical practices and rule-defying approaches point not to an Enlightenment-era Europe but to a Christian club-style Europe. We have also issued our warnings on this matter," he said.

"It is not just Türkiye-EU relations that are facing the consequences of this. The European Union is experiencing this in the Russia-Ukraine war, we are seeing the consequences of its own contradictions. We are seeing its vacillation on the Gaza issue. We are seeing its ineffectiveness and dysfunction regarding the Iran conflict."

During an event in Hamburg on April 20, von der Leyen expressed support for EU enlargement but warned about outside influence.

"We must succeed in completing the European continent so that it is not influenced by Russia, Türkiye or China," she said.

The comments drew mixed reactions in Europe. Former EU Council head Charles Michel voiced support for Türkiye and appeared to question von der Leyen’s framing.

"Türkiye is a core #NATO ally, a key migration partner, an energy corridor, a major defence actor on Europe’s flank, and a serious regional power," he wrote in a post on X, tagging von der Leyen. "Europe doesn't get stronger by applying double standards or simplifying reality."

Çelik earlier told Türkiye's state-run Anadolu Agency that such statements reflect "a lack of vision."

"Seeing Türkiye, a candidate country, as a competitor of the European Union is a grave mental and political contradiction," he said.