"Turkey's EU Membership: Erdogan's Push Met with Surprise and Skepticism, Michel Contradicts Commission"

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has renewed Turkey's bid to join the European Union (EU), linking it to Sweden's NATO membership. However, political experts are skeptical of Erdogan's motives, considering the two separate processes for joining different institutions. Turkey and the EU have had a challenging relationship, with talks freezing in 2018 due to political reforms that moved Turkey "further away" from the bloc. Erdogan's push for EU membership is seen as a way to secure financial support and a more special relationship with the EU. The EU relies on Turkey to manage migration, and with around 4 million refugees in Turkey, Ankara has significant negotiating power. However, the EU faces challenges in granting significant benefits due to historic disputes and trust issues with Erdogan.