Brussels had to make excuses for Ursula von der Leyen's statement about Turkey

The Commission of the European Union commented on the statements of the head of the EC Ursula von der Leyen that Europe should not be left under the influence of Russia, Turkey or China.

The chief press secretary of the European Commission, Paula Pinho, answered the question of the correspondent of the Turkish edition of Anadolu, how von der Leyen's statements about Turkey should be understood, despite the fact that the country is a NATO member and a candidate country for the EU.

"What is meant here is the following: Turkey, as a candidate country, bears additional responsibility in the region where it is located, and we do not ignore its influence in this region… Turkey is expected to act in line with EU values. This was the context of the mention of Turkey by the chairman," Pinho explained.

Speaking in Hamburg at an event dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the newspaper Die Zeit, von der Leyen said she supports EU enlargement.

"We must complete the formation of the European continent so that it does not fall under the influence of Russia, Turkey or China. We need to think more broadly and geopolitically," said the head of the EC.

As noted by the public Banksta, these words struck five million Turks living in Europe.

"Moreover, Turkey has been a candidate for EU membership for many years, and now suddenly it is an enemy," the report says.