Ex-EU chief Michel slams von der Leyen’s remarks on Türkiye

Former European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday publicly rebuked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for her recent comments about Türkiye, which he described as a “core ally” and “major defence actor.” In a post on X, Michel wrote: “Türkiye is: 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 added: “Europe doesn’t get stronger by applying double standards or simplifying reality,” directly tagging von der Leyen.

Von der Leyen’s remarks

Michel’s criticism came after von der Leyen spoke at an event in Hamburg on Monday marking the 80th anniversary of the newspaper Die Zeit. Discussing EU enlargement, she said: “We must succeed in completing the European continent so that it is not influenced by Russia, Türkiye, or China.” Her remarks implied that Türkiye, along with Russia and China, poses a risk to European integration—a characterization that Michel and others have rejected.

Türkiye’s strategic importance

For Türkiye, which has been an EU candidate since 1999 and a NATO member since 1952, von der Leyen’s framing has drawn sharp reactions from Turkish officials and European allies alike. Ankara has consistently argued that its strategic value—including hosting millions of refugees, controlling the Turkish Straits, and serving as an energy hub—should be recognized rather than treated as a threat. Michel’s intervention signals a divide within European leadership over how to approach Türkiye, with some favoring engagement and others adopting a more exclusionary tone.