Customs Union

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke to Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi over the phone, according to Turkey's Communications Directorate on March 23. 

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. 

Turkey has said it will continue to work with the European Union on a positive agenda outlined by Brussels which includes the renewal of the migrant deal, upgrading the customs union and visa liberalization, as EU's top diplomat revealed a comprehensive report on ties with Turkey that suggests opening a path for improved cooperation in the mentioned areas but also imposing sanctions if Ankara c

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.

Turkey's Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Committee convened on March 4 with Turkey-EU relations and counter-terrorism on the agenda.

The committee's weekly meeting convened under the chairmanship of presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalın at the Presidential Complex in the capital Ankara.

Turkey's top diplomat has called on the European Union to revitalize the accession process of his country to the EU, to launch the process for visa-free travel of Turkish nationals in the EU and start talks for upgrading the Customs Union agreement.

Turkey wants to see concrete steps from the European Union to further enhance positive developments in the dialogue between Ankara and Brussels, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Jan. 18.

"Turkey-EU ties are in a more positive place now thanks to constructive steps," Çavuşoğlu said at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen on Jan. 9 discussed the steps aimed at enhancing the relations between Turkey and the European Union, the Turkish authorities have said.

Turkey and Greece's foreign ministers are planning to meet in the coming weeks, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Jan. 7. 

The landmark Turkey-U.K. free trade agreement set to be signed on Dec. 29 will usher a new era in bilateral economic and trade ties starting Jan. 1, Turkey's trade minister said on Dec. 28. 

"This new era in our relations will be mutually beneficial for both Turkey and the U.K.," Ruhsar Pekcan tweeted.