Brussels: Former European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday criticized remarks by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about Trkiye, a country he describes as a "core ally" and "major defence actor."

According to Anadolu Agency, Michel emphasized Trkiye's significance in a post on the US social media company X, underlining its role as "a core NATO ally, a key migration partner, an energy corridor, a major defence actor on Europe's flank, and a serious regional power." He warned against the potential pitfalls of Europe's approach, stating, "Europe doesn't get stronger by applying double standards or simplifying reality."

These comments from Michel followed von der Leyen's speech at an event in Hamburg on Monday, which marked the 80th anniversary of the newspaper Die Zeit. During her speech, von der Leyen addressed EU enlargement, expressing the need to "complete the European continent so that it is not influenced by Russia, Trkiye, or China."