In remarks reflecting a fundamental shift in the perception of traditional transatlantic alliances, Turkey, a prominent member of NATO, called on Europe to step out of the shadow of American protection and begin to assume its own security responsibilities directly. This came in statements made by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during his participation in a high-level conference in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, where he highlighted the existential challenges facing the continent.
The end of the era of total dependence on Washington
Fidan asserted that the global geopolitical landscape has fundamentally changed, noting that the ongoing war in Ukraine and the shifting strategic priorities of the United States have left European countries with no option but to become self-reliant. In his remarks, as reported in a statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the minister explained that "ensuring our internal security is an existential necessity," emphasizing, in the plural "as Europeans," that European security cannot continue to be delegated to an external power, a clear reference to the American security umbrella upon which Europe has relied since the end of World War II.
Criticism of the European exclusion of Turkey
The Turkish minister's remarks were not without reproach and sharp criticism of European policies toward Ankara. Fidan condemned the continued exclusion of Turkey—which possesses the second largest army in NATO—from the European Union's security and defense frameworks, despite being an official candidate for membership in the bloc for many years.
Fidan pointed out that this exclusion stemmed from political reasons that did not serve the public interest, stating, "Despite Turkey's official commitments to cooperating with non-EU allies, we have been excluded from European defense equations for years." He explicitly attributed this to what he described as "the narrow national agendas of a few member states" that hold Europe's higher strategic interests hostage to their own calculations, alluding to historical political tensions that hinder full cooperation.
Strategic context and the importance of timing
This Turkish invitation takes on particular significance in the current international context, as Europe faces unprecedented security challenges on its eastern borders. Strategic analysts believe that Ankara's invitation serves as a reminder of the military and geostrategic weight that Turkey can offer to European security if political differences can be overcome.
With the increasing US focus on the Indo-Pacific region to counter Chinese influence, and with growing calls within Washington for Europe to foot the bill for its own defense, the need for Europe to build a more independent defense system has become urgent. Through these statements, Turkey emphasizes that any effective European security architecture cannot be complete without integrating Turkish military power and its strategic location linking East and West, making security cooperation an imperative for both sides, not a luxury.
