Key facts
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a working dinner in Ankara.
- The meeting aimed to balance closer EU-Turkey ties with rule-of-law concerns.
- Turkey is considered an important partner by the EU with shared strategic interests.
- Concerns persist regarding Turkey's democratic backsliding and human rights record.
- Turkey's role in security, migration, and energy was highlighted as a key area of cooperation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for a working dinner in Ankara, a meeting framed by observers as a delicate balancing act between strengthening ties and addressing ongoing disputes. The dinner, held after a NATO summit, aimed to navigate Turkey's geostrategic importance against concerns over rule of law and democratic backsliding.
Von der Leyen was expected to weigh papering over disputes with Turkey's value as a partner, particularly in security and migration. The EU has emphasized Turkey's role as a key NATO ally and a crucial partner in repelling Russia's invasion of Ukraine, especially as the United States potentially reduces its support for the continent. Shared strategic interests across a range of areas were noted by EU officials as likely topics of discussion.
However, the relationship is complicated by persistent concerns about Turkey's democratic progress. MEPs highlighted that engagement cannot come at the expense of the European Union’s core principles, citing issues such as democratic backsliding, suppression of press and opposition parties, and recent crackdowns on opposition figures. Human Rights Watch also noted detentions in Turkey prior to the NATO summit, suggesting a lack of strong European response.
Despite past diplomatic incidents, such as the 2021 'sofagate' seating controversy, there is a sentiment among some MEPs that the meeting offers an opportunity for a fresh start and a reset of relations towards a more pragmatic and security-oriented level. Potential areas for closer cooperation include Turkey's involvement in the EU's Security Action For Europe (SAFE) defence loan programme, though its full participation has been hindered by objections from Greece and Cyprus.