Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş emphasized that Türkiye’s full membership in the European Union would significantly contribute to the bloc’s institutional and cultural identity. Speaking alongside Hungarian National Assembly Speaker Laszlo Köver in Budapest, Kurtulmuş highlighted that Türkiye, with its blend of Eastern and European values, would bring more benefits to Europe than it would gain in return.
He noted that despite Türkiye’s decades-long pursuit of EU membership, the process has been hindered by political and structural challenges. However, recent global developments, particularly the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have underscored the need for stronger Türkiye-EU cooperation in defense and diplomacy.
Kurtulmuş also praised Hungary’s consistent support for Türkiye’s EU aspirations and described current relations between the two nations as “exemplary and strategic.” He cited the signing of 17 new memorandums covering areas such as defense, energy, tourism, education, and culture, which have further solidified the partnership.
Underscoring the importance of regional cooperation, Kurtulmuş referred to the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) as a bridge connecting Central Asia and Europe—a platform he believes can foster peace and stability in a rapidly changing global order.