Spahiu: Turkey a key player in the Balkans and the Middle East – needed by Europe

Political analyst Nexhmedin Spahiu stated that in the context of strained US-EU relations, Turkey is beginning to play a key role both in the Balkans and the Middle East, and that its membership in the Union would bring not only a larger market, but also greater security.

“The relationship between America and Europe is strained, as are relations within NATO, which makes Turkey a key player in the Middle East, in the Balkans, and in the dynamics between major powers. Europe still needs Turkey,” Spahiu told Kosovo Online.

The initiative for Turkey to become a new EU member was launched by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Poland, with the claim that this move would help Brussels “prevent the loss of its power and influence,” an idea supported by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Spahiu agrees with this initiative and emphasizes that the EU would gain not only a larger market but also greater security.

“Turkey would bring a larger market, just like all the other countries aspiring to join the European Union. Such a unified market would lead to prosperity for all. And Europe would gain greater security. A large, powerful country as part of the Union certainly represents a stronger potential. It would also mean deeper ties with Asian countries, with which Turkey has good relations, as well as with other countries in the Middle East. This would mean both economic and security strengthening for Europe,” Spahiu said.