EU leaders to mull relations with Türkiye with President Erdogan within NATO summit

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday to discuss bilateral relations between the EU and Türkiye, as well as the regional agenda, Report informs referring to the Council of the European Union.

According to the European Council, the meeting with Erdogan will focus on strengthening dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Türkiye based on shared interests and pragmatic steps.

The parties will discuss the implementation of the joint document adopted by the European Commission and the EU High Representative in November 2023, which outlines the further development of political, economic, and trade relations between Brussels and Ankara.

"The current geopolitical situation requires strengthened dialogue and cooperation based on shared interests and pragmatic steps," the statement reads.

The regional situation, including UN-led diplomatic efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, is also on the agenda.

At a briefing in Brussels, European Commission spokesman Olof Gill declined to answer a question about whether recent statements by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who, speaking in Hamburg, placed Türkiye on par with Russia and China in emphasizing the need to protect Europe from external influence, could impact the meeting. Von der Leyen's remarks drew sharp criticism from Ankara.

Türkiye remains a strategic partner for the European Union. The EU is Türkiye's largest trading partner, while Türkiye ranks seventh among the bloc's trading partners. According to the European Commission, mutual trade in 2022 amounted to €198.1 billion.