Thewesternbalkans.
Part two
On 24 of January at the joint press conference with the minister of foreign affairs of Türkiye Hakan Fidan, High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas has underlined following priorities for the EU – Türkiye relations:
Türkiye is one of Europeans’ most important partners as a candidate country, and a major NATO ally and plays a central role in the Europeans’ security;
The economic partnership is stronger than ever and there is immense potential for cooperation across a wide range of issues – from trade, innovation, to fighting terrorism;
The cooperation between European Union and Türkiye has so much potential.
There are differences too, particularly on issues like Cyprus and closing loopholes around Russia sanctions. Further steps
forward on the human rights are essential to move forward on the European path.
Syria. The fall of Assad’s regime comes with incredible hope but also many challenges. The Syrian people need a government that represents a Syria in all its diversity.
The path to Syria’s future also runs through Türkiye. “I commend Türkiye for really helping a large number of Syrian refugees and welcoming them here. It is clear that the refugees can return to Syria when Syria is a stable country, and there are jobs, and it is possible to make a living” Kaya Kallas said.
EU recognise that Türkiye has legitimate security concerns in Syria. Terrorism poses a grave threat to both the European Union as well as Turkey. EU agrees that the Islamic State of Iraq (ISIS) must be kept down. Any actions in northern Syria must take the delicate balance of serious, hopeful and fragile future into account;
Gaza. The ceasefire offers a chance to break this cycle of violence. EU urges both sides to implement this agreement. The ceasefire is temporary, and the EU needs sustainable peace;
The European Union remains a strong supporter of Palestinian people. And is also ramping up its aid. EU is in talks about redeploying its mission EUBAM Rafah and is committed to the long-term reconstruction and development. EU believes the Two-State Solution is the only way forward.
Ukraine. Russia’s invasion will soon enter its fourth year. The EU priority is to strengthen Ukraine’s position, because there are no signs that Putin wants peace. EU provided over €134 billion to Ukraine, and is the Kiev’s largest backer. EU will have also trained 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of February. EU has imposed the most the wide-sweeping sanctions against Russia in the European Union history.
According to Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry, the most important key issues of Türkiye – EU relations, are reviving Türkiye’s membership process, updating the Customs Union and accelerating the visa liberalization process.
Migration cooperation also featured prominently on the agenda, with a focus on “fair burden and responsibility sharing,”
The meetings were also set to address pressing regional matters, including efforts to achieve a diplomatic resolution to Russia’s war in Ukraine, maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza and reconstruction efforts in Syria.
Fidan advocated for joint measures to lift sanctions on Syria and facilitate the safe return of Syrian refugees across Türkiye. The discussions came days before EU foreign ministers are set to meet in Brussels on Jan. 27 to discuss sanctions related to Syria.
Comments: Kallas and Fidan last met at a NATO gathering in December, followed by a phone call later that month focused on Syria. High-level engagements between Türkiye and the EU surged last year, with Fidan attending an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers after a five-year hiatus.
That meeting paved the way for a “high-level trade dialogue” and the return of some European Investment Bank activities in Türkiye, which had been suspended since 2019.
Kallas and Fidan’s discussions followed the latter’s phone calls with his Russian and Iranian counterparts, Sergey Lavrov and Abbas Araghchi, on Jan. 23. The top diplomats discussed regional issues, Turkish diplomatic sources said.
There are a few more important things: A meeting with Erdogan was certainly requested, but one did not take place because Turkish protocol clearly defines who can meet with the president of Türkiye. At the moment, only the foreign ministers of China and Russia have had this privilege.
Another important point is the tone of Kaja Kallas – she has completely abandoned the edifying tone with which senior EU officials have treated Türkiye, as well as the constant repetition of human rights in the country. Apparently, the EU realizes how important a NATO member country Türkiye is and that talks cannot be held with it from the position of the stronger.
The new momentum in Turkey’s EU accession process comes at a time of increased European efforts for the integration of the countries of the Western Balkans – a region in which Turkey has traditional influence and military-political interests.
