Great Britain as an example: Merz wants to bind Turkey more closely to the EU

Great Britain as a model
Merz wants to bind Turkey more closely to the EU

Friedrich Merz would like a closer partnership between the EU and Turkey. As a role model, he envisions a relationship like that with Great Britain. "That could one day also be a perspective for Russia," says the CDU politician.

The CDU chairman Friedrich Merz has spoken out in favor of tying Turkey and later Russia more closely to the European Union. "It would make sense to have an expanded European economic area that enables countries like Turkey, for example, to participate in the EU internal market without acquiring the rights of full EU membership," he told the newspapers of the Funke media group.

"One day that could also be a perspective for Russia." For Turkey there is no prospect of EU accession in the long term. "But you can talk about anything below this level," said Merz. The 65-year-old said the deal with the UK could set some example.

Great Britain left the EU at the end of January 2020. At the beginning of 2021 it also withdrew from the EU internal market and the customs union. A trade and partnership agreement should make the break compatible. For example, no tariffs and quantity restrictions will apply to trade in goods. The contract also regulates other issues, such as fishing and cooperation in areas such as energy, transport, justice and the police.

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