European Council president reacts to viral video where Erdogan leaves Ursula von der Leyeen on foot

That was the essence of European Council President Charles Michel's response to harsh criticism of his decision, on a visit to Ankara on Tuesday, to take a seat with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sat on a couch.

Michel was heavily attacked by the entire European political spectrum all day Wednesday during the episode, especially since one reason for the joint visit was emphasising the importance of women's rights.

But in a Facebook post Wednesday evening, Michel insisted that the images of the meeting had given a false impression.

Some of the images that were transmitted gave the impression that I could have been insensitive to this situation. Nothing is further from reality or from my deep feelings”, the former Belgian prime minister said, writing in French.

He said the “strict interpretation by Turkish protocol rules services” had “produced a disturbing situation ʹ different, even reduced, treatment of European Commission President”.

But Michel insisted that while pointing out “character for the regret of the” situation, he and von der Leyen had chosen not to exacerbate it with a public incident and toge off the core of their discussion.

This version of events did not fully appear in the actions of von der Leyeen or the Commission's account of the episode. Von der Leyen made clear her dissatisfaction at the time with a call, interpreted differently as a German” ähm”.

Earlier Wednesday, the Commission did not mention von der Leyeen and Michel, who together had decided to ignore the episode. Her chief spokesman, Eric Mamer, said that von der Leyen had placed “gave priority to the content of questions on protocol or the form”. He did not say that Michel had been part of this decision, nor did he defend the actions of the president of the Council.

Charles Michel Posting

This Tuesday, Ursula von der Leyeen and I attended a meeting in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Some images provoked reactions and sometimes harsh interpretations. That makes me react.

Our visit marked an important moment in the complex process of improving European Union relations with Turkey. It was the result of many months of careful preparation and diplomatic work to turn this country into a more constructive approach to its relations with the EU.

And despite the clear desire to do the right thing, the strict interpretation of protocol rules by Turkish services caused an unpleasant situation: different treatment, even reduced, the president of the European Commission. Some photographs that appeared gave the impression that I would be sensitive about the situation. Nothing is far from reality or my deepest feelings. Nor the principles of respect that I consider necessary. At that moment, as we realized the sad nature of the situation, we chose not to exacerbate it by a public incident and to have the privilege at this start of meeting the contents of the political debate that we're about to begin, Ursula and I and the host.

In essence, it was the speech we gave to President Erdogan on the Istanbul Convention, the rights of women and children and, in general, the protection of our fundamental values of the rule of law and freedom of expression. Before the official meeting, I had met with representatives of UN Women and other United Nations agencies. And we arrived at a point to organise in Ankara, despite the opposite pressure, a joint press conference with Ursula to provide a taboo account of our discussions with the Turkish side.

So I'm sorry for two reasons. First, with the impression that I would be indifferent to the embarrassment of the Ursula protocol. However, I have the honor of participating in this European programme, in which two of the four main institutions are run by women, Ursula von der Leyen and Christine Lagarde. And also proud that a woman, the first in history, replaced me as prime minister of Belgium.

Finally, I am sad because this situation has overshadowed the major and constructive geopolitical work we have done together in Ankara, and from which I hope Europe will reap its fruits.