Turkey-EU set to seek new path forward in ties
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet European leaders this week to determine how the strained relationship between Ankara and Brussels will proceed henceforth.
Eyes will be on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s meetings this week with key European leaders on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Brussels.
These meetings will take place amid deep divisions between Turkey and Europe, which reached some of their lowest levels before last month’s constitutional referendum in Turkey that vested all political power in Erdogan’s hands.
The situation was exacerbated by Erdogan’s “Nazi” jibes targeting European politicians and officials in response to criticism of his undemocratic leanings, and by restrictions placed by various European countries on his canvassing activities for support from millions of expatriate Turks for his executive presidency.
Nevertheless, there are signs that the sides are trying to reduce tensions to move forward for the sake of broader interests.
