EU tries to mend fences with Turkey following attempted coup
European officials stream to Turkey to overcome tensions that are putting arrangements such as the migration agreement at risk, but serious differences remain.
Intense diplomatic efforts are underway to restore relative normalcy to Turkish-EU ties, which entered a tailspin after the attempted coup in Turkey.
Increasingly contrite over the reserved manner with which they initially responded to the coup attempt, EU officials are streaming to Turkey now to make amends. Many in Turkey believe that the antipathy felt for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blinded Europe to what had really transpired on the night of July 15.
“Had the coup succeeded, you would have supported it, like in Egypt. You don't know this nation, but they know you,” Erdogan’s chief adviser Ibrahim Kalin raged in a tweet aimed at Europe after the coup was foiled.
The EU fears that worsening ties with Ankara will undermine the agreement arrived at in March with Turkey to cope with Europe’s refugee crisis. The future of the deal is already in the balance over the issue of granting visa-free travel for Turks traveling to Europe.
