Turkish business group urges Merz, EU leaders to revive Türkiye's stalled membership process

Türkiye's Foreign Economic Relations Board launched a public diplomacy campaign urging German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders to revive Türkiye's stalled European Union membership process, arguing that "a strong Europe is impossible without Türkiye." The Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) published a full-page open letter this week in the German newspaper Bild as part of the second phase of a broader initiative timed around Europe Day.

Paradigm shift call

The board called for a "paradigm shift" after years of stalled accession talks, arguing that Türkiye's integration into the EU's economic security and defense architecture has become a strategic necessity amid challenges including migration, demographic change, the rapid spread of artificial intelligence, and the energy transition. The letter described Türkiye's full integration as essential for the EU to emerge as a global power.

Customs Union modernization

The board also urged the urgent modernization of the EU-Türkiye Customs Union, saying it is critical to strengthening Europe's competitiveness amid increasing geopolitical fragmentation. It emphasized that the Turkish business community has long been integrated into European value chains and argued that providing a credible path toward EU membership would help restore strategic clarity and mutual trust.

Campaign expansion

Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ, chairman of DEIK's Türkiye-Europe Business Council, said the campaign would expand with similar open letters in major newspapers across France, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands. "We deem the future of Türkiye-EU relations as not just an economic partnership but a strategic necessity," he said.