Ankara on Friday criticized the European Union over a policy document released earlier this week, saying its references to the country ignored Türkiye's status as an EU candidate and failed to reflect its strategic role in European security.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli said the EU's "Common Understanding" document, published on July 15, lacked "a strategic and fair approach" toward Türkiye.
"The document ignores Türkiye's candidate status and demonstrates the EU's inability to develop a shared vision for the future with our country," Keçeli noted in a statement posted on social media.
Keçeli underlined that the document was issued shortly after the NATO summit in Ankara, where allies reaffirmed Türkiye's role in Euro-Atlantic security.
"It is evident that the document was drafted in a tone that seeks to overshadow this reality," he said, referring to Türkiye's indispensable role within NATO as allies assume greater responsibilities under the alliance.
