European Council report presents roadmap for EU-Turkey ties
Ahead of a European Council summit this week, a report by EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell laid out a roadmap to deepen bilateral trade despite recent setbacks in Ankara’s human rights record, while outlining economic sanctions should more turbulence arise.
ISTANBUL — With the European Council set to review troubled EU-Turkey relations in a summit later this week, the bloc’s Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell released a report Monday evening laying out a positive agenda based on deeper trade ties with aims to soothe bilateral grievances.
The March 25-26 summit is expected to primarily focus on tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, which have largely subsided since Ankara pulled back energy prospecting vessels from disputed areas in the region late last year.
Speaking Monday, Borrell welcomed de-escalation measures taken by Turkish leaders in the region after unveiling a 16-page report in which he outlined areas for further bilateral cooperation, including migration management and a possible resumption of Customs Union modernization talks that would revamp EU-Turkey trade.
In the report, Borrell also proposed a set of economic sanctions to be applied if Ankara moves once more against EU interests. Though he expressed concern over developments in Turkey’s domestic politics Monday, analysts said recent rhetoric from EU officials appears to signal a shift away from cooperation based on improvements in Ankara’s human rights record toward a more pragmatic approach.
