Stabilization of relations: Turkey and the EU go to negotiations

Stabilization of relations: Turkey and the EU go to negotiations This week the EU and Turkey turned to each other with the aim of normalizing relations. Their preservation is mutually beneficial for both sides, both from a political and economic point of view.

On Thursday, the European Union and Turkey appealed to each other to form steps to normalize relations that have been strained by disagreements over energy, migration and Ankara's human rights record.

Turkey, which is still an official candidate for EU membership, has faced the threat of economic sanctions from the European Union over a hydrocarbon dispute with Greece in the eastern Mediterranean, but relations between Brussels and Ankara have begun to stabilize as the new year approaches.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said in an address to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that the Union is committed to improving the political atmosphere.

Meanwhile, on January 9, a video conference was held between Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during which the two leaders stressed the importance of maintaining bilateral relations.

Cavusoglu expressed hope that von der Leyen and Charles Michel, the head of the European Council, representing the 27 EU member states, will visit Turkey at the invitation of Erdogan. He added that in order to maintain a positive atmosphere, the Union and Ankara should take concrete steps.

During 2020, relations between Turkey and the EU gradually heated up, especially after Erdogan publicly expressed hope that the protests in French cities will lead to the overthrow of President Emmanuel Macron. Greece and Cyprus, backed by France, have argued for sanctions against Turkey over provocative oil and gas exploration by Turkish vessels in disputed waters, but Germany and Italy are reluctant to take any steps to impose sanctions on Ankara. Now Turkey has recalled the vessels and intends to resume negotiations with Greece.

Turkey remains a major point of trade and a base for investment by the EU, and has taken in some 4 million Syrian refugees. Ankara's immediate goals are to consider the right of Turks to visa-free entry to the EU, update its trade agreement with Europe, and recognize claims for hydrocarbons from its offshore shelf.