Ankara is being visited by EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaya Callas, who had a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

To jointly statements with the Turkish Foreign Minister Following the meeting and noting that Turkey is an important EU partner, nominee -integrated country, NATO ally who plays a significant role in Europe’s security, the European official stressed that there are differences, citing the issue of Cyprus and the issue of Cyprus and Cyprus. sanctions against Russia, which Turkey does not apply. He also emphasized that human rights and the rule of law are very important in the course of Europe.

In other words, Kaya Calas said she discussed with the Turkish minister both the bilateral cooperation between the EU and Turkey and the fields of cooperation on foreign policy. “We believe that most dialogue at a high level is important and cooperation. We discussed in detail the issue of our cooperation, both our bilateral cooperation between the EU and Turkey, and the partnerships we can have on foreign policy issues.“, Mrs Callas

For Syria and migratory

On the Syrian issue, the European official stressed that many hopes were created after the fall of the Assad regime, but at the same time there are many difficulties and challenges. “Syria needs a new government that will represent the diversity of its people. This is also the goal of the EU. We want to support Syria’s economic reconstruction. The European Union intends to relax sanctions on Syria according to the behavior of the new government, “he said.

The EU’s High Representative congratulated Turkey for hosting a very large number of Syrian refugees. “It will be for the benefit of all a promising future for Syria,” he said, adding that “when Syria becomes a safe and stable country and when there are job opportunities it will be possible to return Syrian refugees.“

Regarding Turkey’s position to eliminate the presence of the Kurdish YPG and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Kaya Callas said the EU knows “Turkey’s legal security concerns over Syria. These are significant risks to both Turkey and Europe. We believe that the Islamic State should be dealt with and that movements in northern Syria should be done with care“

“The truce is temporary, we need permanent peace”

Concerning Gaza, the EU’s High Representative said that “we expect this cycle of violence with the truce. We ask both sides to implement this agreement, “he said, recalling that” the truce is temporary “, while” we need permanent peace “.

“The Israelis and the Palestinians are entitled to long -term peace. The EU supports the Palestinians. We increase the help we send them. Our mission to Rafa will also return. We will also support the long -term development efforts. We believe that the solution of the two states is the only solution“, Kaya Callas added.

“Putin does not want peace”

Finally, referring to the war in Ukraine, he noted that “Russia’s occupation in Ukraine soon enters its fourth year “and” there is no indication that Putin wants peace“

The EU provides € 134 billion in Ukraine, trains 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers and applies heavy sanctions to Russia, the European official stressed, stressing that “we all want peace, but we want peace to be permanent and last. We also believe that there are no others who want peace as much as the Ukrainians. “

Fidan blasted EU responsibilities for obstacles to the accession course

For his part, Hakan Fidan argued in his introductory speech that “in the past, some European leaders had turned the issue of Turkey’s integration into a tool for their own domestic policy. Unfortunately, the result was that both the European Union and Turkey were forced to pay the price with a series of geostrategic losses. “

“We are now waiting for the European Union to present a new vision that will enhance Turkey’s accession perspective“He noted, recalling the statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when he was re -elected in May 2023, that EU integration is a strategic objective for Turkey.

“It would be in the interest of both sides for the European Union to change its approach to Turkey on a realistic and merit -based basis without prejudice“, He added and described”Positive evolution some of the decisions taken at the EU General Affairs Council in December“

It has called for the resumption of the EU-Turkey High Level Dialogue and the preparation of the road for the activities of the European Investment Bank in Turkey, which has been on the table for some time.

He also said that he has set Ankara’s expectation in his European interlocutor to immediately remove all restrictive measures.

Hakan Fidan once again raised the issue of updating without delay of the Customs Union, as well as the issue of release of visas for Turkish citizens’ travels to EU countries. “It is important to start working on these two issues And to get quick results, “he said with emphasis.

Fidan: Righteous division of weights in migratory

For migration, the head of Turkish diplomacy argued that Turkey’s cooperation with the European Union “It must be updated according to new realities on the field, based on the fair division of weights and responsibilities“

The Turkish Foreign Minister also referred to the war in Ukraine, saying that “Diplomacy is the only option for a permanent and fair solution“And Turkey is ready to support initiatives to rejuvenate the negotiating process to end the war as soon as possible.

As for the ceasefire in Gaza and the Palestinian in general, Hakan Fidan once again accused the continuation of the attacks, demanding the full implementation of the truce. “The provision of humanitarian aid and rebuilding Gaza should be the priority of the international community,” he said, noting that Turkey is ready to work with the European Union on this issue.

“And this is a reality of life and we will continue our course.”