In light of current developments, Turkey was among the topics discussed by EU foreign ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday.
In particular, during the discussion, according to diplomatic sources, EU High Representative Josep Borrell and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas briefed on their respective contacts with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. As reported by the same sources, the main conclusion was that Turkey was willing to strengthen EU-Turkish relations.
It is in this context, Turkey seems to have stopped at this stage its violations in the Eastern Mediterranean, that exploratory contacts with Greece have begun, while Ankara seems to be open to EU involvement in the negotiations on the Cyprus issue and the resumption of talks, stating that “they are not dogmatic” as to the intended purpose of the talks.
It is noted that from the debate a positive first assessment of Turkey’s recent statements and actions must be considered. However, they all stressed that the EU should be cautious and not naive, expecting that Ankara’s “friendship attack” will be accompanied by concrete steps with continuity, consistency and in the long run.
During the discussion, the assessment expressed that the “new” approach of Turkey may be due to the following factors: the threat of sanctions; the economic situation in the country, and the election of Biden in the USA.
According to the same sources, the Greek side stressed that effective progress remains to be made in matters of particular interest to Greece, such as the continuing Turkish delinquency, casus belli, non-compliance with international law and especially the International Law of the Sea, which is part of the European Acquis.
Source: ANA-MPA