Turkiye has reaffirmed that European Union membership remains its strategic objective and announced that it has formally applied to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).

Axar.az reports that Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said on X that the issues were discussed during the Turkiye-EU High-Level Economic Dialogue in Istanbul with EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and EU representatives.

Simsek said the modernization of the EU-Turkiye Customs Union remains a strategic priority and noted that expanding it could unlock around €400 billion in additional trade potential.

He also announced that Turkiye has submitted its Letter of Intent to join SEPA, saying membership would make cross-border payments faster, cheaper and safer for businesses and citizens.