The Commission wants to deepen relations with Türkiye

The European Commission proposes to deepen EU-Turkey relations in several areas in a report published in Brussels today. “The European Union has a strategic interest in establishing a stable relationship with Turkey,” European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a press conference.

EU Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi called on EU countries to facilitate obtaining a visa, especially for businessmen and students. The report also proposes closer cooperation in areas such as trade, migration, communications, energy and the modernization of the customs union.

Borrell: Resuming the “high-level” dialogue.

Borrell called for the resumption of “high-level dialogues” between the EU and Turkey, which were suspended in 2019. The rule of law and fundamental rights constitute an “integral element” here, where there is still “room for improvement.” Moreover, Turkey must address the issue of circumventing sanctions imposed on Russia.

Following the re-election of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May, European heads of state and government tasked the European Union Commission with submitting proposals to resume relations. These matters are scheduled to be discussed at the next EU summit in Brussels in mid-December.