After 2020 was a “problematic year in terms of bilateral relations”, as described by the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, both European and Turkish representatives want to start from a better basis in 2021.
In statements ahead of their meeting in Brussels – which lasted more than 2 hours and enabled a “cordial, frank” discussion according to the European External Action Service (EEAS) – Çavuşoğlu and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called for an improvement in relations.
According to Mr Borrell, the meeting was “an important step in the direction of looking for mutual strategic interests, for the development of a cooperative and reciprocal relationship anchored in common values and principles”. Turkey is an important neighbour and we want to build a “common and shared future” with it, he added.
“It is important to create a more positive atmosphere and a positive agenda, but in order for it to be sustainable, concrete measures are needed on both sides”, added Çavuşoğlu, who arrived in Brussels with a list of grievances. The minister hoped that the meeting would make it possible to discuss the declaration of 18 March 2016 regarding migration, which in his opinion, “should be revised in all its aspects”, as well as making it possible to organise a multilateral conference on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The issue of visa liberalisation, the modernisation of the Customs Union and “other concrete measures that will together build the future of EU/Turkey relations” should also be addressed, he said.
The High Representative did not, as such, revisit bilateral EU/Turkey relations, instead placing greater emphasis on areas of tension. According to a press release from the EEAS, the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean "is a cornerstone of EU-Turkey relations".
He described the announced resumption of direct exploratory talks between Turkey and Greece as a “step in the right direction”, adding that such efforts should be maintained and that announcements needed to be translated into action. He added that the efforts of the UN for a resumption of the Cyprus settlement talks were another important step, noting that the EU was fully committed to supporting a speedy resumption of these negotiations.
“We strongly wish to see a sustainable de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean, but in the wider region also”, the High Representative added.
Despite differences in foreign policy, Mr Borrell said he was “sure” that the EU and Turkey would be able to engage more in a substantive dialogue to strengthen the importance of the political processes related to regional conflicts, be it in Libya, Syria or Nagorno-Karabakh.
Mr Borrell also highlighted the EU's concerns about the human rights situation and the Rule of law in Turkey (see other news).
This Friday, Mr Çavuşoğlu is due to meet the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. The latter might soon travel to Turkey along with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, having been invited by the President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)