The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan, the High Representative of the Union, Kaja Kallas, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, and the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, advocated, on Tuesday 30 June, for stronger relations between the EU and Turkey.
In a statement published after a meeting in Ankara, they “reaffirmed the shared determination to take steps that would further enhance the cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship” in areas of economic and trade cooperation, connectivity, migration, security and common foreign and security policy challenges.
The Turkish and European representatives also reaffirmed their willingness to continue efforts to improve the implementation of the customs union, while preparing for its modernisation. They underlined the importance of an inclusive and reciprocal approach to industrial policy for competitiveness and economic security. In addition, in their view, Ankara’s potential participation in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) would be beneficial.
The minister, the High Representative and the Commissioners expressed their “determination“ to work together to address common migration challenges, notably by strengthening cooperation on border management and combating migrant smuggling.
The two sides also agreed to schedule the next rounds of high-level dialogues, “preferably before the end of the year, including on economy, trade, migration and security, health, science and innovation and agriculture”.
Agreeing on the importance of regional stability and good neighbourly relations, they expressed support for the efforts made by the United Nations Secretary-General on the Cyprus issue.
The Europeans also highlighted the need for Türkiye to strengthen the Rule of law, the protection of fundamental rights and to guarantee high democratic standards.
Turning to Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East, Africa and the South Caucasus, the EU and Türkiye reaffirmed their common interest and shared responsibility to address them through enhanced consultation and coordination.
Finally, the two sides underlined the importance of strengthening dialogue and cooperation on security and defence, in complementarity with NATO. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)