EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell deemed 2020 as a complicated year for Euro-Turkish relations in joint statements with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Brussels.
“We have recently seen some improvement in the overall situation on both sides (EU-Turkey) and some important steps have been made. Today’s meeting is also an important step towards mutual strategic interest, development of good cooperation and important common values .”
In addition, Josep Borrell said: “An important step would also be the resumption of exploratory talks between Turkey and Greece. Such efforts must be sustained. Intentions and announcements must be translated into action.”
“The efforts of UN Secretary-General Guterres to resume talks on the Cyprus issue under the auspices of the UN are also an important step,” Borrell said, stressing that the EU was fully committed to supporting the rapid resumption of negotiations.
Moreover, the High Representative stressed that the EU wanted to see “a sustainable de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean but also in the wider region”.
Turkish FM Mevlüt Çavuşoglou said that 2020 was proved “troublesome” in terms of bilateral relations between the EU and Turkey, the effects of which were reflected in last December’s European Council and its Conclusions”.
“It is very important to create a positive environment and a positive agenda. However, we need concrete steps on both sides in order to achieve sustainability,” said the Turkish Foreign Minister.
Source: ANA-MPA