Erdoğan tells UN that Europe cannot be safe without Turkey

Key Points:

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized Turkey's essential role in European security at the UN General Assembly, arguing that excluding Turkey from Europe's security architecture weakens the continent's safety.
• Erdoğan highlighted Turkey's strategic position as a NATO member with the second-largest military and its role as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, advocating for regional ownership in resolving international crises.
• He called for fundamental reform of the UN Security Council, proposing the abolition of veto powers held by the five permanent members and replacing them with elected members serving fixed terms to enhance fairness and trust.
• Erdoğan expressed optimism about improving US-Turkey relations under President Donald Trump's potential second term and reaffirmed Turkey's commitment to cooperation, justice, and solidarity on the global stage.
• Despite Turkey's stalled EU accession process since 2018 due to democratic concerns, Erdoğan reiterated Turkey's desire for a strategic partnership with the European Union based on mutual vision and responsibility.