The EU remains committed to the relaunch of the Cyprus settlement talks and as an active observer, the EU fully supports the UN-led process and we look forward to the informal meeting that will be held in a few weeks time, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. The European Union has a strategic interest in developing a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey, but at the same time, is determined to defend EU and Member States’ interests, he stressed. The EU will assess Turkey`s progress at our European Council meeting in June, Michel noted.
Briefing the Press after meeting with President Erdogan together with European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, President Michel said that “at our European Council meeting last month, we discussed the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the EU`s relationship with Turkey.” As he said, “the EU`s strategic interest remains a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and a mutually beneficial and positive relationship with Turkey.”
“We welcome the continuation of the bilateral exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey, and we welcome the forthcoming visit of the Greek Foreign Minister to Turkey”, Charles Michel noted.
“On Cyprus, the EU remains committed to the relaunch of the settlement talks. As an active observer, the EU fully supports the UN-led process and we look forward to the informal meeting that will be held in a few weeks time”, he stressed.
“In recent months, we have witnessed a de-escalation. This is a positive development, which must be sustained and enhanced”, Charles Michel stated.
“We have told President Erdogan that the EU is ready to put a concrete and positive agenda on the table, based on three pillars: economic cooperation, migration, and people-to-people contacts and mobility” he went on.
Our engagement will be progressive, proportional and reversible. And we hope Turkey will seize this window of opportunity”, Michel noted.
“The European Union has a strategic interest in developing a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey. At the same time, we are determined to defend EU and Member States’ interests and to promote our values” he said.
“We extend our hand with our progressive agenda. And it’s up to Turkey to seize this opportunity in a solid and sustainable manner. For its part, the EU is ready to walk the talk. We will assess the progress at our European Council meeting in June”, he concluded.
According to an EU source, prior to the meeting with Erdogan, on Monday evening, the President had a meeting with the US Ambassador. The US and EU share a number of concerns but equally, they are fully aligned on the need for a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean, and of a positive and mutually beneficial relationship between EU and Turkey, it was stressed. The US and EU agree that it is up to Turkey to seize the opportunity, teh source added.
According to the same source, “on Tuesday morning, the President met with representatives from UNHCR, IOM, UN Women, UNICEF & UNDP in Turkey. They updated the President on the situation of women’s rights after the withdrawal of Turkey from the Istanbul Convention; on the situation of refugees in Turkey; on the situation on the south-east borders and in Turkey controlled areas in northern Syria.”
On the meeting of the two EU Presidents with President Erdogan the same ource noted that “they explained frankly to Erdogan the EU’s balanced proposal: a progressive, proportionate and reversible agenda can be put on the table, and Commission will start working on it. This will happen if de-escalation continues and Turkey takes further positive steps on the known issues” such as Greece, Cyprus and regional issues.
“They also explained the importance of human rights, women’s rights, freedom of speech and media freedom. Without improvement in these areas, there will be no acceptance by Member states and their public opinions for a positive agenda with Turkey”, the EU source concluded.