European Union–Turkey relations

Turkey and the European Union are set to hold a political dialogue meeting at the ministerial level on July 25, an EU official has told Hürriyet Daily News. 

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, EU Minister Ömer Çelik, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, and Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn will gather for the meeting in Brussels. 

Turkey has received almost €1 billion from the EU to support rule of law, civil society, fundamental rights, democracy and governance.

A European Commission spokesperson told EUobserver earlier this month some €979.6 million was paid out between 2007 and April this year with more likely to come given Turkey’s continued candidacy for EU membership.

The May 25 meeting in Brussels between Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk was regarded as a chance for a new start in Turkey-EU relations. 

Modernizing the existing Customs Union with its largest market, the European Union, is of great importance to Turkey, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci has said, two days ahead of his visit to Brussels to discuss the issue with his European counterparts. 

Turkey on its own can help expand economic growth in the European Union, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said on June 20. 

"An updated Turkey-EU Customs Union agreement is most important for us," he said at a fast-breaking (iftar) dinner held by the Foreign Economic Relations Board.

European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, who oversees EU membership bids, will pay a visit to Turkey on July 6 as part of a re-engagement decision made by parties during a meeting between EU officials and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on May 25. 

Turkey wants to make a "fresh start" with the European Union under a new vision, in the wake of soured relations over recent months, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım stated on June 19.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov was on a visit to Turkey, where he met with Turkish President Recep Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on 13th of June, BNT reported. 

During the meetings in Ankara, he expressed Bulgaria's strong desire to work actively on improving the EU-Turkey relations.

During a joint briefing with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Tuesday, Borissov said that relations between EU and Turkey have deteriorated badly, but the two sides were "obliged to find a normal tone of conversation".

Officials from Turkey and the European Union will meet June 13 in Brussels for a political dialogue meeting to review the current status of issues on their mutual agenda and to discuss ways of moving forward after a period of tension.

The discussions will set the stage for higher-level gatherings at the ministerial level for political, energy, and economy dialogue meetings.