“The EU wishes to strengthen its cooperation with Turkey in areas of mutual interest such as trade, migration, connectivity, the green and digital transition and energy,” EU High Representative Josep Borrell said when presenting the report on evaluation and the future of Euro-Turkish relations.

Borrell stressed that the EU has a “clear will to improve its relations with Turkey” and start a “new era” without barriers in areas of mutual interest. He underlined that this approach will be “progressive, proportionate and reversible” and that the EU has a strategic interest in maintaining security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In particular, with regard to trade and connectivity, the Commission and the EU High Representative propose to continue discussions on the modernization of the EU-Turkey Customs Union, “with the understanding” that Turkey continues to deal with the circumvention of EU restrictive measures against Russia through its territory, “quickly and effectively” and continues to resolve trade disputes. They also note that: “In a broader environment that favors the resumption of Cyprus settlement talks, the Council should approve the negotiating directives and authorize the Commission to start negotiations on the modernization of the Customs Union.”

Regarding visa procedures for Turkish citizens, the Commission proposes to explore as a matter of priority the possibilities of facilitation for specific categories of Turkish citizens when applying for EU visas (e.g. businessmen, students, Turkish citizens with family members in the EU, etc. .etc.). This should include making full use of the Visa Code’s flexibilities to allow multiple entry visas with long validity.

In the area of ​​investment, the Commission proposes to speed up the signing of contracts under the Turkey Investment Platform to boost public and private investment, in particular in the areas of connectivity, digital transition, energy, transport and the Green Deal, in close cooperation with European and international financial institutions. In this context, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is invited to resume its operations in all sectors in Turkey.

“We can take action, but we need a constructive attitude from Turkey,” said Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varcheli. The Commission proposes the restart of the high-level dialogue with Turkey in the economy, transport, trade, migration and security but under conditions, “which include respect for the sovereign rights of the member states”, stressed Varheli.

Referring specifically to trade relations, Oliver Varkheli said that Turkey is the EU’s 4th trading partner and the EU is Turkey’s first trading partner. Bilateral trade has more than quadrupled this year, surpassing 200 billion euros – a “record” figure, Varkheli stressed.

Asked if the Cyprus issue is an obstacle to the modernization of the customs union with Turkey, Oliver Varkheli replied that all member states must be accepted and respected at the level of customs cooperation. He added that this issue will be included in the discussion on the modernization of the customs union, and that “it will not be the only issue that will be connected to the Cyprus issue”. He underlined, however, that the EU can improve its trade with Turkey in a mutually beneficial way, without jeopardizing the Cyprus issue.

On foreign policy issues, High Representative Josep Borrell admitted that Turkey is clearly out of line with EU foreign policy on several issues. “It is clear that on some issues we disagree and on some occasions we have to emphasize the importance of our agreement,” Borrell said, citing as an example the important role Turkey could play in the Middle East peace process, as well as the The EU supports the two-state solution. However, the disagreement on the issue of Hamas is clear, as for the EU it is a “terrorist organisation”, while Turkey has a “different approach”, Borrell kindly said.