Turkey has opted to stay silent after remarks by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen appeared to place Ankara alongside China and Russia as a potential malign influence, Middle East Eye understands.
A swift clarification from Brussels appears to have satisfied officials in Ankara, which showed little appetite for confrontation at this stage.
"There will likely be no formal statement of criticism or condemnation since the Commission has released an official clarification," a Turkish official told MEE.
Speaking at an event marking the 80th anniversary of Die Zeit newspaper in Hamburg on Monday, von der Leyen said that if the EU fails to expand, neighbouring countries could fall under Russian, Turkish or Chinese influence, making it “difficult for us”.
The remarks caused a stir in Turkey, marking a rare instance in which a Commission president appeared to frame Ankara as a hostile power seeking to undermine the continent's unity.
