EU urged to seek ‘constructive engagement’ with Turkey

Source:Financial Times Date:21Jul2023

Some promising winks from EU about a thaw. Erdogan will take even crumbs

Progress on both visa liberalisation and Turkey’s participation in the bloc’s customs union is possible, according to people involved in the talks. But this would require movement from Ankara on issues such as data-sharing and anti-terror legislation, and trade measures seen as protectionist by Brussels. EU members Cyprus and Greece are opposed to closer relations that do not include progress from Ankara on a UN-led initiative to normalise relations over the divided Mediterranean island. Some eastern EU states are also irritated by Erdoğan’s failure to adopt western sanctions against Russia and expand his trade relationship with Moscow.