Turkey: EU leaders call for a very gradual and conditional approach
Turkish President Erdogan with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Ankara, April 6, 2021. via REUTERS - PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE
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3 min
The President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen and the President of the European Council Charles Michel met Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his presidential palace in Ankara.
Their visit aimed to frame the detente initiated between Turkey and the EU after a difficult year 2020.
EU leaders called for a very gradual approach, conditional on the attitude of the Turkish authorities in the coming months.
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With our correspondent in Istanbul,
Anne Andlauer
"
We are only at the beginning of the road
": this is what Ursula von der Leyen said and repeated after the meeting with the Turkish head of state.
The President of the European Commission reaffirmed the EU's desire to resume dialogue with Turkey, while using great caution and conditionality.
"
We are extending our hand, it is now up to Turkey to seize this opportunity,
" added the President of the Council, Charles Michel.
Recent de-escalation must be sustained and enhanced.
We have told @RTErdogan the EU is ready to put a concrete and positive agenda on the table.
Our engagement will be progressive, proportional and reversible.
We hope Turkey will sixteen this window of opportunity.
pic.twitter.com/CR9xnqoaJJ
- Charles Michel (@eucopresident) April 6, 2021
The two EU leaders came to explain to Recep Tayyip Erdogan the framework of this possible warming and the benefits that Turkey could derive from it.
Essentially economic benefits, which would notably go through a modernization of the customs union between Turkey and the EU.
Europe is also proposing to resume the high-level dialogue suspended in 2019 on certain subjects such as the environment or health, and to continue its financial support to the four million refugees settled in Turkey.
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See also: EU leaders in Turkey on April 6 to meet Erdogan
But Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel were clear: Europe will only advance if Turkey advances and does not rekindle tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.
EU leaders also insisted on respect for human rights, described as "a top
priority
".
The June European Council will allow them to take stock and judge the progress - and therefore sincerity - of the Turkish president.
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See also:
The EU denounces Erdogan's attitude on gender-based violence and the rule of law
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European Union
Turkey
Recep Tayyip Erdogan