Borrell believes that it is a good time to resume Turkey’s candidacy for the EU
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has opened the door to take up the “pending problems” of Turkey’s candidacy to join the EU. “We have to resolve some issues. It is a good time to take up these pending problems”, said Borrell, who participated this Saturday in a panel within the Antalya Diplomasi Forumu (ADF, the Antalya Diplomatic Forum), which is being held in Turkey.
The politician -accompanied at the round table by the Latvian Defense Minister, Artis Pabriks; the Slovak Foreign Minister, Ivan Korčok; and the Spanish Arancha González Laya, former Foreign Minister of Spain – has highlighted the geopolitical importance of Turkey and its relevance: “Turkey can play a very important role. That’s why I’m here today.” “In recent years, [la UE y Turquía] We have had tense moments. Things are going better and let’s hope they continue to improve, ”he added.
The High Representative has not only spoken about the accession to the EU of Turkey (a candidate country since 1999 and that in this time has not advanced much in its membership status), but also about the urgent requests made by Ukraine or Georgia to form part of the community club. Regarding these cases, Borrell has stated that, although everything possible will be accelerated, it is “a procedure” that has to be followed.
“If we were not in the EU and in the NATO sphere, we would now be in a situation similar to that of Ukraine,” said Latvian Pabriks. “Putin’s aggression consolidates the European Union and NATO,” he added. He considers that Putin “is knocking at the doors of Europe” and believes that Ukraine – and Georgia in the past – is being attacked for not being in the Alliance. “This is a key moment for the EU and we will rise to the occasion”, added Korčok. An idea with which the former Spanish Foreign Minister agreed: “It is a crucial moment for the Union. But in this century we have already passed through other crucial moments. And in all of them, Europe has advanced”.
Laya has mentioned the 2008 crisis or the pandemic and the economic mechanisms to cushion its impact (referring to the Next Generation funds). “This [la ofensiva de Rusia a Ucrania] it is a new challenge to our existence”, said Laya. Politics wanted to give a warning to those who bet on the failure of the EU: “Be careful. The EU is a democratic model and it takes us time to make decisions. But, and that’s what matters, decisions are made with determination, a cool head and progress is made”.
Borrell has also mentioned the power of the Union working in harmony: “Our capacity [militar] joint is greater than that of Russia. And similar to China. But you have to coordinate.” The high representative has insisted on the idea of a greater integration of the military forces of the Twenty-seven: “We will be stronger.” Borrell considers NATO key to Europe’s security, but calls for the EU to have the capacity for autonomous action. Also a greater military investment: “In 1975, [los países de la UE] we invested an average of 4%; now it is 1.5%. Maybe now is the time to adapt that investment.”
In the image, Borrell (third from the left), sitting between Artis Pabriks and Ivan Korčok, and with Arancha González Laya and the moderator of the panel held this Saturday at the Antalya Diplomasi Forumu.