France, Germany blocking Türkiye’s EU bid for domestic politics: Fidan
ISTANBUL
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday that Türkiye’s bid for EU membership is being blocked by France and Germany for domestic political reasons.
Fidan also urged regional peace, the disarmament of the PKK terror organization and stronger ties with the U.S. amid growing instability in the Middle East.
Fidan spoke on live television about Türkiye’s foreign policy, EU membership process and crises in the region, during an interview with journalist Murat Çiçek on 24 TV, a Turkish 24-hour news and documentary channel.
Fidan said Türkiye’s application to join the EU is being blocked by two key countries:
"We see that it is currently not embraced by the two countries that are the founding and driving forces of the EU, and that this is mainly sustained for domestic political reasons," he said.
The minister noted that Balkan and Southern European countries are more supportive, but the main roadblock comes from France and Germany.
Fidan explained that Türkiye is working for peace and stability across the region.
Speaking about Syria, he said: "(With the new Syrian administration) We are in certain consultations with our brothers there."
He emphasized that Türkiye supports Syria’s unity and said the new leadership in Syria is aware of Türkiye’s importance. Fidan also pointed out that sanctions by the EU and the U.S. on Syria need to be addressed through dialogue.
He said Türkiye is encouraging the Syrian administration to engage with other countries to rebuild international relations.
On Iraq, Fidan noted that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani recently visited Türkiye and said Iraq is slowly becoming more stable and focusing on helping its people.
Talks with Israel, humanitarian crisis in Gaza
Fidan confirmed that talks with Israel were recently held in Azerbaijan to avoid further conflict in the region. "We should reach the maximum outcome possible through words and avoid leaving too much room for other efforts prematurely."
He condemned Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip as a genocide. "Two million civilians are struggling with hunger, and deaths from hunger and disease are now surpassing those from conflict," he said.
He said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent him to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to prepare for U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the region. "We extensively discussed what kind of common language or focus could be presented during Mr. Trump’s visit to the region."
Fidan stressed that global leaders must act together to stop the suffering in Gaza: "I definitely believe it is possible if joint action is taken."
PKK’s possible disarmament
Fidan said the PKK terror organization is considering laying down arms in response to a major political call in Türkiye:
"As of today, the organization went through a congress preparation process in response to the process initiated by Mr. (MHP Chairman Devlet) Bahceli’s historic call and our president’s unwavering, grand, and inclusive determination."
He said officials were expecting a formal announcement. "But apparently, we will have to wait a little longer to hear the organization's response to this historic call," he said.
Fidan urged a peaceful and legal political process:
"Everyone needs to work toward building a ground where there will be no weapons, illegality will end, and people will advance their politics in a civilized way through legal means. Ending illegality means more than just laying down arms."
Even if the PKK does not disarm, Fidan said Türkiye is prepared. "We are hopeful, but even if it doesn't happen, it is not the end of the world. ... But if it does happen, it would mean an end to innocent young people going to the mountains, to bloodshed, and to the constant threat to our societal unity."
He criticized those in the PKK who serve foreign interests: "I don’t think the people in the organization are very satisfied anymore either. Continuing their existence by serving other countries -- how honorable is that? That’s also a debatable issue."
Closer Türkiye–U.S. relations under Trump
Fidan also touched on ties with the U.S., especially with Trump returning to the international stage.
"Türkiye-U.S. relations must be exceptionally good. Both leaders agree on this," he said.
He indicated that both sides want to go beyond political and security matters and focus more on trade and technology: "Both teams are working on this," he said.
Assassination attempt
Fidan also revealed that there had been an assassination attempt on him, noting that he was the target of poisoning.
"We were poisoned and received treatment. I was given heavy arsenic and mercury. It happened somewhere, then it was revealed in the tests. It has been 4-5 years," he said, leaving the details vague about when and where the attempt happened.
Asked about who made the attempt, Fidan said, "Let's not go into those details. Those are issues that happen outside. There are not only enemies inside, there are enemies everywhere."
Noting that the attempt did not hold him back from his duties, Fidan said he is serving his nation, regardless of the conditions.
