EU leaders' summit to tackle COVID-19, ties with Turkey

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 summit, originally planned to be held face-to face, will start on Thursday afternoon.

The leaders will discuss the continuing COVID-19 pandemic - now over a year old- including how to speed up vaccine production and deliveries among EU member states, as well as technical issues with vaccine travel certificates planned to be introduced by this summer.
Foreign policy will be another hot topic on the agenda, and relations with Turkey especially vis-à-vis the Eastern Mediterranean will loom large.

"In relation to the Eastern Mediterranean, we will consider, with a view to our meeting in June, stepping up our engagement with Turkey in a phased, conditional and reversible manner," said EU Council President Charles Michel in a letter to EU leaders.

Turkey and Greece have sparred over disputed maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey has stressed negotiations towards fair sharing and a win-win agreement, while decrying Athens' efforts to turn a bilateral issue into one between Turkey and the EU.

A report prepared by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on relations with Turkey is also expected to be presented to the leaders. A leaked version of the letter praises Turkey's recent "positive steps" and "calmer, more constructive attitude" on issues such as the Eastern Mediterranean.

The document also suggests deepening "the present momentum and incentivize closer EU-Turkey ties across the board" with...