European Union–Turkey relations

The European Union (EU) Council President Charles Michel and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Turkey on April 6 and meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Brussels announced.

Nobody questions Turkey's candidacy for EU membership, said the bloc's top diplomat in Turkey on March 26 on the heels of an EU leaders' summit that tackled Turkish-EU ties.

Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention through a presidential decree is fully legal, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, rebuffing criticisms made by opposition parties that suggested the move was overridden parliament's authority.

European Council President Charles Michel said on March 25 that he contacted Turkish officials for planning a visit to Turkey in April.

Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke at a press conference after an EU leaders' summit which was held via video link and completed in one day, although two days were planned.

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.

Bulgaria participated in the sitting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council that took place here on Tuesday. This country was represented by Ambassador Dimiter Tzantchev, Bulgaria's permanent representative to the EU.

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