Dialogos

Fidan: If Turkey Were an EU Member, Brexit Wouldn't Have Happened

Published January 26, 2026, 11:00
Fidan: If Turkey Were an EU Member, Brexit Wouldn't Have Happened

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that if Turkey were a member of the European Union, Brexit would not have happened, as the EU would be more resilient to international challenges. He argued that the EU could create its own 'center of gravity' and reduce its dependence on other superpowers, such as the US, China, and Russia. Commenting on the situation in Iran, Fidan advised the United States to avoid policies that could further destabilize the region, suggesting a way of negotiating that would preserve Iran's prestige. He also dismissed the idea of reviving the Ottoman Empire, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between nation-states to address common problems.