Tuesday, April 06, 2021
Von der Leyen in Ankara
EU shakes hands with Erdogan
There is great mistrust between the EU and Turkey not only because of the gas dispute in the eastern Mediterranean. Now Commission head von der Leyen is traveling to Ankara. She offers President Erdogan a fresh start. It is also about refugees, but by no means only.
The EU offered Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a restart of relations, but at the same time expressed clear criticism of the country’s domestic political situation. During a visit to Ankara, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel expressed concern about the latest developments in Turkey. At the same time, however, they held out the prospect of increased economic cooperation and financial support.
Von der Leyen spoke of a “good first meeting” with Erdogan. Turkey had shown interest in “constructive” talks with the EU. The EU was ready to work on a “new dynamic in our relations” before the summit of its heads of state and government in June.
After Ankara’s willingness to discuss the conflict over gas deposits in the eastern Mediterranean, the EU summit at the end of March had promised increased cooperation if Turkey continues to show willingness to cooperate. Should the conflict with the EU members Greece and Cyprus flare up again, there are still sanctions against Ankara in the room.
How will the refugees continue?
According to Von der Leyen, in the almost three-hour conversation with Erdogan, four areas of expanded cooperation were discussed in depth: the modernization of the common customs union, high-level talks, easier travel for Turkish citizens and further financial aid for around four million Syrian refugees in Turkey .
On the last point, von der Leyen said that the EU Commission would “soon” present a proposal that would also include the host countries Jordan and Lebanon. The EU had already promised Ankara six billion euros for the Syrian refugees in Turkey in a refugee agreement from 2016, but most of these have now been spent and planned.
According to von der Leyen, the prerequisite for further aid is that Turkey resume the withdrawal of refugees from the Greek islands that it promised in 2016. Ankara suspended this last summer.
The visit had been criticized in advance by numerous representatives of the EU Parliament and the Bundestag as sending the wrong signal. After talking to Erdogan, Michel said that he had expressed “deep concern about the latest developments” in Turkey with von der Leyen. The EU Council President mentioned the restriction of freedom of expression and the action against political parties such as the pro-Kurdish HDP, which is confronted with an application for a ban.
Turks only issue notice
Von der Leyen emphasized that human rights are “non-negotiable” and have “absolute priority” for the EU. She criticized Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention for the Protection of Women from Violence. This is “not the right signal” and hinders the rapprochement process.
Erdogan himself did not speak in public after the meeting. A statement by the presidential office said Turkey wanted the EU to take “concrete steps” to support the positive development of relations. The country’s goal is still “full membership” in the EU. However, the talks on this have been on hold for years and their resumption was not part of the EU offer that has now been submitted.
Both sides are only “at the beginning of a street,” said von der Leyen. Only the coming months would show “how far we can go together on this road”. Michel emphasized that any concession towards Ankara would be “gradual” and would have to be “reversible”.
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