Accession of Turkey to the European Union

Turkey welcomes the rhetoric in the memorandum adopted by EU leaders at a virtual summit and sincerely wishes to develop its relations with the bloc on the basis of cooperation and mutual benefit, the country's Foreign Ministry said on March 25. 

European Union leaders will discuss the coronavirus pandemic, vaccine deliveries, and the delicate state of relations with both Turkey and Russia in a virtual two-day summit starting on March 25. 

U.S. President Joe Biden will also attend the meeting to discuss transatlantic cooperation with EU leaders.

The offer of closer economic links, mixed with threats, reflects the complex relationship between Turkey, an EU candidate, and the world's largest trading bloc, which have drifted apart but are now seeking improved ties.

As European Union membership continues to be a strategic target for Turkey, updating the Customs Union will be a key step to create a positive agenda between both sides, said Turkey's trade minister on March 23. 

Ties between the EU and Turkey should focus on the fact that Europe's security is determined by the situation in Ankara, the Hungarian foreign minister said on March 22. 

"Europe's security equals to Turkey's security," Peter Szijjarto told reporters during a break from the ongoing EU foreign affairs' meeting in Brussels.

The EU will engage in talks with Turkey on outstanding issues in the region, according to the EU's foreign policy chief.

"On the eastern Mediterranean, we will pursue dialogue with Turkey on outstanding issues," Josep Borrell said in his book, European Foreign Policy in Times of COVID-19.

Greek and Turkish diplomats met in Athens today for the latest round of exploratory talks with the two sides coming to the table with diametrically opposed agendas.

The European Union should "act sincerely and strategically and not repeat its previous mistakes" to make progress in EU-Turkey ties, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on March 16.

The EU and Turkey are collaborating to host an event for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on March 15-16 in Ankara.

The Competitive Sectors Programme: Impact and Beyond aims to promote projects contributing to the targets of the joint industry policy of Turkey and EU.

The Turkish presidential spokesman on March 11 discussed Turkey-EU relations in a meeting with the bloc's officials.