Ankara is expected to develop relations with European Union

Turkey in the coming period expects to develop relations with the European Union, based on the strategy calculated in advance and the prospect of full membership in the community.

Brussels, in turn, also announced the desire to strengthen relations with Ankara, thereby giving a message about intention to focus on resolving the existing disagreements between Turkey and the EU.

The Vilnius Summit of NATO and a meeting of the EU foreign ministers in July revived the agenda of negotiations between Ankara and Brussels.

On the agenda of negotiations on Turkey’s entry into the EU, there are 9 main points: meetings of a dialogue format at a high level; updating the Customs Union between Turkey and the EU; visa -free regime for Turkish citizens; The fight against terrorism; safety and defense; illegal migration; financial cooperation; Communications.

Speaking at the 14th conference of ambassadors in Ankara, the Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called the manifestation of “strategic blindness” of the attempts of some countries to create obstacles on the way to Turkey entered into the EU.

The process of Turkey’s membership in the EU has been going on for more than 50 years. For a long period, the process developed in conditions of low level of mutual trust.

The European Union granted the status of a candidate to Ukraine and Moldova, only because of threats from Russia, despite the fact that countries do not meet all the necessary criteria. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the NATO summit in Vilnius called on “Opening the Way of Turkey to the EU”, which launched a new process.

Brussel’s statements about the “importance of cooperation with Ankara” after the presidential election in Turkey on May 28 also indicate the intention of the parties to develop communications in the last period.

The approval of the membership of Sweden in NATO as part of the Alliance summit in Vilnius July 11-12,

, also became a positive impulse.

In addition, Turkey expects a wider participation in other EU programs, such as Horizon Europe, the European Solidarity Corps, Erasmus+.

In 2014-2020, Türkiye took part in 8 EU programs and initiatives; In 2021-2027, it plans to increase their number to 13.