The head of European diplomacy visits Turkey in a tense context

Text by: RFI Follow

The head of European diplomacy is expected on Monday in Turkey, a visit to Ankara in a context of tensions, particularly between France and Turkey. The spokesperson for Josep Borrell announced talks devoted to all aspects of the relationship with the great Turkish neighbor. There will therefore be many points to discuss.

Publicity

The objective today is to "find solutions to the questions". This was summed up by the spokesperson for the boss of European diplomacy. He also recalled that Turkey is a candidate country for EU membership and a NATO ally, a detail difficult to forget in the current context.

Paris accuses the Turkish navy of having threatened to open fire on one of its frigates in the Mediterranean in early June. The French boat was trying to control a cargo ship suspected of smuggling weapons on behalf of Turkey.

France accuses Turkey of violating the UN embargo on arms supplies to Libya. The two countries are supporting opposing forces on the ground.

The head of European diplomacy will also discuss Turkish drilling in the maritime economic zone of Cyprus. Ankara refused to end it despite the sanctions adopted by the EU.

The Turkish has a weighty negotiating lever: the 3.5 million Syrian refugees on its territory.

Last February, Ankara had followed through on its threats, leaving tens of thousands of refugees flocking to Greece.

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• European Union
• Turkey

On the same subject

Borders: the head of the European diplomacy reaffirms his support for Greece

Libya: Europeans obtain the opening of a NATO investigation into the Turkish attitude

Migrants: no agreement between Europeans and Erdogan