Ankara, February 18 (QNA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the time has come for Turkiye to be included in European defense and security structures.

Speaking to journalists aboard his return plane from an official visit to Ethiopia on Tuesday, President Erdogan said that his country will have many positive things to contribute to the European Union and hoped that everyone has realized that it is not possible to establish a solid European security framework without Turkiye's presence.

Regarding Iran, the Turkish president affirmed his country's opposition to any military intervention against Iran, something that all relevant parties are well aware of.

Erdogan added that a new war on Iran would benefit no one; on the contrary, the region would lose.

In another context, the Turkish president expressed hope that the Peace Council would contribute to achieving lasting stability, a ceasefire, and the desired peace in the Gaza Strip.

Erdogan also revealed that Ankara had received an official invitation to attend the Peace Council meeting to be held in Washington on Thursday, adding that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will represent Turkiye at the meeting.

On another note, the Turkish president said that his country is following the Syrian Democratic Forces' (SDF) steps towards full integration into Syrian state institutions, indicating that Turkiye is providing the necessary guidance in this regard. (QNA)