Bahceli: Anti migration policy and Islamophobia engulfed Europe
Devlet Bahceli, chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), in his speech at the party’s parliamentary group meeting in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, referring to social developments and protests in European countries, said the seeds of sedition that Europe planted by inciting opposition to migrants, Islamophobia and Turkophobia are now returning to this continent itself.
He pointed to the spread of social protests in France and some other European countries and stated that these protests turned in a short time into violent gatherings that disrupt public order and social peace.
The MHP chairman, stating that his party closely follows developments in Europe, said the European Union is expected to remind member states of its sensitivity to fundamental rights and freedoms.
He also considered growing security concerns, rising costs, declining social welfare and economic problems among the factors affecting the increase in social dissatisfaction in European societies. Bahceli in this context said Europe faces a decline in economic and political power in global competition and can no longer maintain the dynamism of the industrial revolution era and its past economic and technological superiority.
Recalling the phrase “Europe is like a bicycle; it must move, and if it stops, it will fall,” he added that it seems this continent no longer has the strength to pedal.
The MHP chairman further called on the EU to focus on its own economic and social problems instead of questioning Turkey’s actions within the framework of this country’s sovereign rights and international law.
He stressed that Turkey, with its geopolitical position, statecraft experience, production capacity, young population and regional relations, is a country that Europe needs more than ever. He also warned that continuing opposition to Turkey and ignoring this country’s request for permanent membership in the EU under various pretexts could take away from this continent the opportunity to restore Europe’s position.
Emphasis on the “Turkey without terrorism” vision
Devlet Bahceli in another part of his speech considered the full realization of the “Turkey without terrorism” and “region without terrorism” vision to be of historical importance and stated that ending terrorism, strengthening brotherhood and establishing peace and tranquility in Turkey and the region are goals that must be achieved.
He stressed that this goal is beyond daily political calculations and is related to the peace of the nation, the power of the state and the security of future generations.
Turkey-Libya relations
The MHP chairman described the approval of the memorandum of understanding on delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas between Turkey and Libya by the Libyan House of Representatives on October 20, 2026 as a satisfactory development.
Referring to the historical and cultural relations between the two countries, he said this agreement was prepared based on international law and principles of equity and takes into account the rights and interests of both countries.
He also referred to the reaction of Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration, Israel and the European Union to this agreement and stressed that no country has the right to dictate to Turkey and Libya.
Defense agreements and regional developments
Devlet Bahceli further referred to the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed on August 7, 2026 and the Badr Memorandum of Understanding among Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia signed on October 21, 2026 in Doha, and assessed these agreements as strengthening defense cooperation, the defense industry, technology exchange and joint military training.
In another part of his speech, he addressed the results of the Israeli elections and said no political party was able to obtain the necessary majority to govern the country and Israeli domestic politics has been divided into two parts.
He also referred to developments in Gaza, the West Bank, the war between the US and Israel with Iran, and the Russia-Ukraine war, and stressed the necessity of strengthening regional peace and stability.
The MHP chairman at the end, criticizing what he called political exploitation of national issues and increasing social tensions, said the streets should not turn into places of tension and conflict and unrest, chaos and social divisions should not be exploited for political goals.
