Türkiye and Hungary Strengthen Ties as Ankara Pushes for EU Membership

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş stated that Türkiye’s full membership in the European Union would greatly enhance Europe’s institutional identity and unity. Speaking at a joint press conference with Hungarian National Assembly Speaker Laszlo Köver in Budapest, he said Türkiye, as a nation embodying both Eastern and European values, would bring significant benefits to the EU.
Kurtulmuş expressed gratitude to Hungary for supporting Türkiye’s EU accession efforts, particularly during its presidency of the bloc. He noted that despite long-standing challenges in Türkiye’s EU membership process, recent geopolitical shifts, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have highlighted the importance of closer cooperation between Ankara and Brussels.
The Turkish speaker also praised the strong and friendly relations between Türkiye and Hungary, describing them as “exemplary.” He emphasized that the partnership has been elevated through enhanced strategic cooperation, supported by 17 memorandums signed in various fields such as defense, energy, tourism, education, and culture.
Kurtulmuş further underlined the role of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), where both Türkiye and Hungary are active members, as a vital bridge between Central Asia and Europe—promoting peace, stability, and regional collaboration.