Experts praise EU's ‘Likeminded Countries Initiative’ as timely step

BRUSSELS / ANKARA

In response to the US administration's distanced approach to Europe's defense under Donald Trump, the EU has moved to enhance coordination with Türkiye, the UK, Canada, Norway, and Iceland – NATO countries it defines as "likeminded nations."

Experts view this as a well-timed initiative and believe it should pave the way for further cooperation between the EU and Türkiye in other areas.

On Friday, the EU held a videoconference with leaders of Türkiye, the UK, Canada, Norway, and Iceland, all NATO members but not part of the EU.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, and Kristrun Frostadottir, Iceland's prime minister, participated in the video conference with EU leaders.

The EU briefed the leaders on key decisions made at the European Council Thursday night and its meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

After this meeting, which the EU named the "Likeminded Countries Initiative," the bloc expressed its intention to enhance defense cooperation with the five countries.

‘Initiative is novelty in many ways’

Giuseppe Spatafora, a research analyst at the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), told Anadolu: “This meeting is a consequence of the earthquake caused by the changed US stance on Ukraine and European defense.”

“Now, no ally can be sure that Washington won’t do to them what it is doing to Ukraine,” Spatafora added.

“It is all part of an effort to boost a coordinated response and send a message of unity toward Moscow and Washington,” he remarked.

“This is a novelty because the ‘likeminded partners’ format has traditionally been used within NATO, not the EU,” Spatafora explained.

“The direct exchange between EU leadership and the Turkish one is particularly remarkable, given the existing disputes at member state level,” he noted. “It signals the urgency of the issues at hand.”

- ‘Ankara, Brussels must focus on reducing divisions’

Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, managing director at the European Neighbourhood Council (ENC), told Anadolu: “This step is timely for Türkiye to cooperate with fellow European NATO partners.”

“It’s urgently needed as the world changes and the US puts pressure on traditional allies, including Türkiye,” Vesterbye said.

“Türkiye is well integrated into NATO's defense system and Europe's trade and financial system,” he pointed out.

“It’s never too late for this cooperation, and it's important to remember that the Turkish economy cannot grow without the EU, and vice versa,” Vesterbye explained.

“The two are fully interdependent in terms of supply chains, with over 40% of Ankara's trade involving the EU,” he emphasized.

“The next concrete steps should focus on rapprochement between the EU and Türkiye in defense and security coordination, as well as European NATO cooperation,” Vesterbye noted.

“It’s crucial that EU-Türkiye relations take into account the Customs Union, and that Ankara and Brussels work on reducing existing divisions,” he added.

‘EU should adopt more inclusive defense approach’

Amanda Paul, a senior policy analyst at the European Policy Centre, emphasized the need for the EU to adopt a more inclusive approach to defense cooperation.

“It is unclear to what extent, if at all, Türkiye will be included in EU defense initiatives,” Paul told Anadolu.

“Türkiye continues to be excluded from the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO),” she explained.

“This is a strategic mistake, as Turkish participation would bolster European security,” Paul concluded.