Brussels: European Parliament's Trkiye rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor has voiced his disapproval of equating Trkiye with Russia and China in terms of negative influence, advocating instead for viewing Ankara as a potential ally in security and defense.

According to Anadolu Agency, Sanchez Amor emphasized that placing Russia, Trkiye, and China on the same level in terms of implicitly negative influence is "neither appropriate nor reflective of reality." In a written statement, he highlighted the complex relationship between Brussels and Ankara, acknowledging its challenges yet underscoring Trkiye's potential as a crucial ally in security matters.

Sanchez Amor remarked that while the Brussels-Ankara relationship has had "many ups and downs in recent years," Trkiye's influence in Europe should not be perceived as a threat comparable to that posed by Russia and China. Instead, he argued for cooperation with Trkiye in security and defense, describing it as "beneficial and important."

Addressing EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's recent remarks, Sanchez Amor characterized them as a "faux pas" rather than an indication of a shift in EU policy. He dismissed the notion that von der Leyen's comments represented a paradigm change, attributing them instead to the EU's "sometimes confusing" foreign policy approach in a complex global environment.

Von der Leyen had made the controversial remarks during an event in Hamburg, where she reiterated the EU's support for enlargement and mentioned the need to prevent influence from Russia, Trkiye, or China. Her comments quickly garnered attention for grouping Trkiye with Russia and China.

The European Commission later clarified von der Leyen's remarks, affirming Trkiye's status as an "unquestionably important partner" for the EU. A spokesperson highlighted Ankara's role in areas such as migration management, economic cooperation, and strategic connectivity initiatives, while recognizing Trkiye's status as a NATO ally and EU candidate country. The Commission emphasized that the reference reflected broader geopolitical considerations rather than a direct equivalence among the countries mentioned.