Parliament speaker: Türkiye integral to Europe

The Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Numan Kurtulmuş, has said that Türkiye is an integral part of Europe, warning that failing to recognise this reality reflects a lack of strategic vision.

Speaking at a roundtable hosted by the Swedish Institute of International Affairs in Stockholm, Kurtulmuş said Türkiye intends to use its geopolitical position and historical legacy to contribute to peace and security in Europe and beyond, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media. 

“History, geography, and geopolitics clearly indicate that Türkiye is in Europe. Failure to acknowledge this fact signifies a lack of strategic vision and a disconnect from reality,” he said.

He added that the contemporary world is facing interconnected crises that require coordinated international responses, but warned that global cooperation is weakening amid growing fragmentation and distrust between states.

Kurtulmuş called for the development of a new global political and economic architecture based on dialogue, negotiation, and peaceful mediation. He referenced Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his slogan that “peace is more than five,” underscoring the need for broader international engagement in peace efforts.

The Turkish parliamentary speaker also highlighted European security and NATO’s role, noting that Türkiye will host upcoming Alliance events, including the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Summit in Istanbul and the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Ankara.

He said NATO should go beyond collective defense and play a stronger political role in fostering stability and supporting peaceful solutions in neighboring regions.

Kurtulmuş concluded that Türkiye remains ready to actively contribute to European security and to strengthen cooperation among European nations.

By Sabina Mammadli