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In a bid to strengthen ties with Ankara and address key challenges facing the continent, European Union (EU) Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas is scheduled to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan today. The high-level talks are set to take place at a critical juncture, with the Nato summit in Ankara approaching next week and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East redefining Europe’s security landscape.
According to sources close to Kallas’ team, the visit by the EU Foreign Policy Chief, accompanied by Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi and Migration Commissioner Ylva Johansson, aims to build on the deepening partnership between the EU and Turkey in several key areas, including defence, migration, trade, and regional stability.
“Turkey is an essential partner for the EU,” said an official from Kallas’ team, underscoring the importance of the upcoming meeting. “We recognize the key role that Turkey plays in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the continent, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the refugee crisis in the Middle East.”
The meeting is seen as a crucial opportunity for EU officials to engage with Ankara on several key issues, including the implementation of the EU-Turkey Migration Deal signed in 2016. Under the agreement, Turkey has agreed to take back irregular migrants attempting to cross into the EU via Turkish borders in exchange for increased financial support and visa liberalization.
As tensions simmer in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, EU officials have expressed growing concern about Turkey’s role in the region. Despite its NATO membership, Turkey has walked a delicate line between aligning itself with Western nations and maintaining strong ties with Russia, a move that has raised eyebrows in Brussels.
The Nato summit in Ankara, set to take place next week, is expected to be a critical test of the alliance’s ability to present a united front in the face of emerging security threats. The summit will bring together leaders from across the Nato alliance, with issues ranging from collective defence to counter-terrorism on the agenda.
With the stakes high and time running out, Kallas’ visit to Ankara marks a key effort by the EU to engage with Turkey and build bridges ahead of the crunch summit. As officials on both sides look to forge deeper ties, the outcome of the meeting is being closely watched by observers in Brussels and beyond.