Key facts
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
- The meeting is in preparation for a NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8.
- Kallas' visit includes Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner.
- Key discussion points include regional security issues such as Iran, Syria, Gaza, and the Ukraine war.
- The EU also seeks to advance trade cooperation and the 'middle corridor' initiative.
- The visit takes place amidst strained EU-Turkey relations and concerns over democratic backsliding in Turkey.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday, ahead of a significant NATO summit scheduled for next week in Ankara. The visit, which includes Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, aims to foster deeper ties with Turkey amidst evolving security priorities shaped by the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The high-level delegation's agenda includes preparations for the July 7-8 NATO summit and discussions on pressing regional security issues. A spokesperson for Kallas emphasized Turkey's role as an "essential partner on defence, migration, trade and regional stability," noting that talks would likely cover Iran, Syria, Gaza, and Russia's war against Ukraine, areas where Turkey's influence is considerable.
Beyond security, the European Commission is keen to advance trade relations and develop the 'middle corridor' trade route, which connects Asia and Europe while bypassing Russia. This diplomatic outreach occurs despite a complex relationship between the EU and Turkey, marked by stalled accession talks and criticism regarding democratic standards and human rights in Turkey.
European lawmakers have encouraged the Commission to address rule-of-law concerns during the visit. However, security appears to be the immediate priority, with EU leaders hoping the upcoming NATO summit will help strengthen transatlantic relations, particularly after recent criticisms from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding European support for U.S. military actions against Iran. Commissioner Kos expressed optimism that closer EU-Turkey cooperation would contribute to greater stability in the region.