Ankara urges EU to prevent attempts to hinder ties

The EU leaders should comprehend the strategic importance of the bloc's relations with Turkey and should not allow any initiative that would hinder ties, Turkey's presidential spokesman said on Dec. 11.

The emphasis that a positive agenda between Turkey-EU is still on the table during the talks was important, İbrahim Kalın said in a written statement on the conclusions of a two-day EU summit held in Brussels.

"After this process, it will be in the interest of all parties to focus on the positive agenda on both sides," Kalın underlined.

Urging the bloc to give up on its unfair attitude against Turkish Cypriots, he said: "In order to produce a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem, the realities on the island should not be ignored."

Kalın reiterated Turkey's stance on the issue, saying that the country would continue being "constructive" for the resolution of the problems in the region and would keep protecting the legal rights of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

Kalın also urged Athens to agree to Turkey's offer to hold a regional conference on an ongoing dispute about drilling rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, saying Ankara was ready for unconditional exploratory talks with Greece.

"Turkey and the EU countries must act with a common agenda to develop a real partnership, to resolve issues within the framework of a dialogue based on mutual respect and trust, and to imbue relations with a new impetus," he said.

Kalın called on the bloc to take tangible steps in line with Turkey's expectations, including updating their mutual Customs Union, as well as the 2016 migration deal and visa liberation.

EU leaders gathered in Brussels on Thursday for two days of discussions on the EU budget...

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