European Union wants to reset ties with Turkey
Last month, EU leaders offered to discuss updating Turkey s 25-year-old customs union with the bloc
Tuesday April 6, 2021 3:36 PM, IANS
Ankara: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel are heading to Turkey on Tuesday for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an effort to reset strained relations.
In addition to meeting the Turkish President, the EU officials also have discussions scheduled with representatives of the International Organization for Migration and other UN bodies, reports dpa news agency.
These meetings are likely to cover EU financial support for Syrian refugees in Turkey, as well as Ankara s recent withdrawal from the
The EU is planning to give Turkey more time to adhere to its commitments on tax evasion, sources said on Friday.
Turkey is accused of failing to comply with international standards on the automatic exchange of tax information.
Ties between the EU and Turkey have been fraught, especially after Ankara pushed gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean last year, infuriating Cyprus and Greece. Tensions have, however, been eased with the diplomacy of Germany.
“This approach is unfair and unrealistic.”
He then urged the EU should “push away” Ankara but instead take a “positive approach”.
He continued: “We want to revitalise our accession process.
“So far, we have demonstrated in a concrete way our principled approach to diplomacy, dialogue, reduction of tensions and resumption of contacts.
European Council President Charles Michel (Image: Getty)
“Instead of pushing Turkey further away, the EU should take a more positive approach and keep Turkey’s membership perspective open.
“Turkey’s accession to the EU may appear to be a challenge for some.
“However, once completed, it will be the most valuable of all.”