Pata: Europe’s approach to Ankara becoming more pragmatic, Turkey a strong ally in the future

Ylli Pata, editor-in-chief of the media platform Tema from Tirana, stated that Europe is taking an increasingly pragmatic approach toward Turkey and sees the country as a strong ally in the future.

“There is a shift in the international approach to Ankara, and Europe, especially Germany, is becoming more pragmatic in a geopolitical sense, as they see Turkey as a strong ally in the future,” Pata said.

Commenting on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s call for full EU membership, which was supported by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the analyst believes that, at this moment, such a development remains uncertain.

“We still don’t know when Turkey’s accession to the European Union might happen. It will take a lot of time, as there is much uncertainty. There used to be strong opposition from Germany, France, and also the Netherlands, especially during the periods of heightened concerns and controversies around Muslims and Islamic terrorism,” Pata said.

He explains that Turkey is currently facing an internal crisis.

“I’m concerned about what is happening in Turkey. Erdogan made a very serious move by arresting the mayor of Istanbul, who is clearly someone capable of challenging him. Polls even show that he could defeat him,” Pata added.

He interpreted Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s statement that Europe now needs Turkey and other Middle Eastern allies as logical support from “Erdogan’s closest allies in the region.”

“It’s true that Erdogan has good relations with Bosnia, Serbia, North Macedonia, and also with Kosovo. He has good relations with Croatia and Slovenia as well, but the relationship between Edi Rama and Erdogan is strong in political terms. Albania is the only country where Erdogan directly intervenes before elections, repeatedly supporting Edi Rama,” Pata emphasized.

He expects that Rama might again receive Erdogan’s support.

“Rama’s relationship with Erdogan has always been like this. What is happening aligns with a joint political agenda of a Turkish axis, Ankara, aiming to bring Turkey closer to the European Union. I see this developing into a joint political axis or group of countries led by Turkey, with the goal of advancing Turkey’s EU accession,” Pata said.

He reminded that Erdogan, during a meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, emphasized that Turkey’s EU membership is of strategic importance.

“Poland is known as one of the most security-focused EU member states, with the strongest army in NATO and in Europe. This stance from Turkey has re-emerged after many years, as in the last elections Erdogan had a completely anti-Western position, he opposed the West, Washington, Germany, and gained votes with that entirely anti-Western rhetoric. Now, new developments are unfolding, and Turkey is being seen as an important European ally regarding the war in Ukraine. There’s growing talk that Turkey could be a crucial part of future peacekeeping forces there,” Pata explained.

He noted that a summit of the EU political committee will be held in Tirana on May 14, with the presence of Turkey and Western Balkan countries not yet in the EU, and he is confident that this issue will also be discussed at the meeting.

He added that Turkey’s potential EU membership also depends on the current situation within Europe itself.

“We must keep in mind that German media and the future Chancellor Friedrich Merz have clearly stated that Germany is rearming, strengthening its military. This military build-up should also be seen as strengthening a European political bloc in which Turkey plays an important part. We’ve seen that even during meetings in London, after the clash at the White House between Trump and Zelensky, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was urgently invited. Only a few countries were present, not all EU members. Turkey has started working to become part of this axis,” Pata said.

He is convinced that Syria is the best example of this, because “Europe supported Erdogan in taking over power.”

“A few days ago, Erdogan strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is having major issues with Europe and is an ally of Trump. We are seeing developments and shifts, and I believe Turkey is concerned about the possible new division of the world between China, Russia, and the US, which could harm its interests,” Pata concluded.