Reuters JOHANNA GERON
Josep Borrell, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, declared that the bloc “wants to build the best relations with Turkey”.
After the meeting of the European Union’s foreign ministers in Brussels, Borrell pointed out that “there have been positive and negative developments in the recent period,” noting that “the union will follow up Turkey’s stances until the summer.”
He explained that relations with Turkey were among the main topics discussed by the ministers during their meeting.
He stressed “the European side’s desire to build the best relations with the neighboring country, Turkey, while defending the interests of the European Union at the same time.”
He indicated that the issue will be taken up at the upcoming European Union leaders’ summit on March 25-26.
Borrell pointed out that “the European Commission has prepared a report that will be presented to the leaders, including recommendations (on relations with Turkey), and that the ministers have included some additional assessments.”
He confirmed that the European Union had received “positive signals” from Turkey recently.
He added, “Despite the reduction of tension in the eastern Mediterranean (between Turkey and Greece), the situation is still fragile.”
On the other hand, he considered that “some internal developments in Turkey cause concern,” referring to the filing of a lawsuit to close the “Peoples’ Democratic Party” and Turkey’s withdrawal from the “Istanbul Agreement” (the European Council agreement on stopping and combating violence against women and domestic violence).
Source: “Anatolia”
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