Von der Leyen says dialogue is important, but EU expects credible gestures from Turkey
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has met with European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and some commission members. After his meeting with Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Relations and Security Policy Cavusoglu got together with the EU Commission.
Cavusoglu met with EU Commission President von der Leyen, as well as Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas and Oliver Varhelyi, responsible for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement.
“WE WANT TO OPEN A NEW PAGE”
“We want to open a new page with the EU,” Cavusoglu said on social media about his meeting with Borrell. He also noted following: “It is necessary to update the March 18, 2016 agreement with all its elements. We must work together for a positive agenda. We discussed the preparations for the visit of the EU Council and Commission presidents.”
“IT’S TIME FOR A POSITIVE STEP”
EU Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas also shared a message on social media about his meeting with Cavusoglu. He wrote: “Migration, security, contacts between peoples, Erasmus cooperation are at the center of the renewed Turkey-EU agenda. It’s time to take positive steps.”.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that process for Turkey’s accession to the EU should be revived, customs union of Turkey with EU should be updated and visa liberalization should be started.
Cavusoglu shared on social media after meetings with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and some commission members. He said, “Our accession process must be revived.”
“The customs union needs to be updated and visa liberalization needs to be implemented. We must increase cooperation in the fight against irregular migration and terrorism. We must all-out combat the rising racism, discrimination and anti-Islam in Europe.”
“WE EXPECT CREDIBLE GESTURES FROM TURKEY”
On the other hand, Von der Leyen said he and Cavusoglu discussed the next steps in EU-Turkey relations. She said, “Dialogue is very important, but we also expect credible gestures on the pitch,”
“Neighbors and Enlargement Commissioner” Oliver Varhelyi said on Twitter that he hoped Turkey and the EU would turn the page on their relations and co-operate in a constructive and mutually beneficial way on issues of strategic interest.
Relations between the EU and Turkey have been strained over the eastern Mediterranean crisis over the past year. Turkey and EU member Greece have been at odds on many issues.
