In recent years, the difficulties and tensions experienced in Turkey's EU process have created a sense of despair and disappointment among the general public and political circles.

Both the EU reforms coming to a standstill and the existence of circles within the EU that prevent Turkey's membership create exhaustion at times and lead to calls to abandon the EU goal. However, we must continue on our way without deviating from the target we have determined in this regard.

As the late President Özal stated years ago, it is a well known fact from the beginning that the EU process is a long and narrow road.

The criteria Turkey must fulfill in the EU accession process already meet the conditions that our country has chosen as a target for itself. The rule of law, democracy, human rights are the prerequisites of modern society and state.

The EU is where Turkey naturally belongs economically, politically, and culturally within its geographical context. For this reason, abandoning this goal does not serve Turkey's high interests.

Turkey continuing its march towards the EU is in line with its own socio-economic development goals.

Even though the EU’s approach at times result in questioning of its values, the EU’s fundamental principles and goals coincide with universal values.

In addition, the EU is going through a fundamental process of change and transformation. Projects such as the Green Deal, which will make the EU meaningful in the new century, are also of interest to Turkey and make the need for harmonization urgent.

Moreover, this is not the time to redefine our relationship with the EU, itself undergoing a radical transformation and aims to overcome crises. It would be more accurate to follow the developments within the EU first and then to redefine our relationship, if necessary and accordingly.

Turkey's becoming an EU member is dependent on Turkey fulfilling the EU criteria but also on the circumstances. Helmut Kohl, one of the former Prime Ministers of Germany, opposed Turkey's EU membership, but his successor Gerhardt Schröder paved the way for Turkey to start negotiations with the EU.

The conditions that make up the conjuncture would change rapidly. The critical issue is that Turkey continues to work towards becoming a suitable candidate for the EU by accelerating reforms, strengthening its own democracy and economy, and preparing to become a member when circumstances allow.

Otherwise, it will not be in Turkey's interest to shelve the EU candidacy, which is one of the most significant gains in terms of Turkey's international position, and to embark on an uncertain path.

Turkey’s place is in Europe. Without Turkey, the EU would be incomplete.