EU-Turkey leaders’ meeting, 26 March 2018

Series Title
Series Details 26.03.18
Publication Date 26/03/2018
Content Type

Further information:

Both sides agreed to continue close cooperation on migration. The EU reiterated its commitment to offer further support to improve the situation of refugees in Turkey.

+ Commission proposes the allocation of further funds for EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey, March 2018

The EU voiced its concerns regarding Turkey’s actions in Syria, especially in the northwestern region of Afrin, which is was under control of Turkish military and its allies. In this context the EU asked Turkey to ensure the protection of civilians and facilitate access for humanitarian aid.

+ ECFR et al: Three views on Turkey's Syria intervention

Concerns were raised about Turkey’s actions in the eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Sea, which EU leaders described as 'illegal' at the European Council summit earlier in the month.

Leaders also discussed Turkey’s actions in the aftermath of the attempted coup in July 2016. They said they understood Turkey’s need to ensure its security. However, they underlined that as an EU candidate country, Turkey committed itself to upholding the highest standards of democracy.

A meeting between leaders of the European Union and Turkey was held on 26 March 2018 in Varna, Bulgaria. The leaders discussed a wide-ranging set of items, including:

+ Cooperation on the management of migration flows;
+ Tackling terrorism;
+ Rule of law in Turkey;
+ Turkey's actions in the eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Sea;
+ Turkey's involvement in Syria.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2018/03/26/
Related Links
European Commission: Remarks by President Juncker at the joint press conference with President Tusk, Prime Minister Borissov and President Erdoğan following the EU-Turkey Leaders' Meeting in Varna http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-18-2607_en.htm
European Council: Remarks by President Donald Tusk following the EU-Turkey leaders' meeting in Varna http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/03/26/remarks-by-president-donald-tusk-after-the-eu-turkey-leaders-meeting/
Politico, 27.03.18: Europe fakes Turkish delight https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-europe-erdogan-spoils-eus-bulgarian-party/
EUObserver, 27.03.18: EU-Turkey summit ends with 'no solutions' https://euobserver.com/foreign/141455
Reuters, 26.03.18: EU says summit with Turkey provides no answers to concerns https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN1H21B8
EurActiv, 27.03.18: Varna to become permanent venue for EU-Turkey talks https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/varna-to-become-permanent-venue-for-eu-turkey-talks/
Deutsche Welle, 26.03.18: Donald Tusk: 'No concrete solutions' at EU-Turkey summit http://p.dw.com/p/2v2HL
Kathimerini, 26.03.18: Top EU officials urge Ankara to free soldiers, stop violations http://www.ekathimerini.com/227108/article/ekathimerini/news/top-eu-officials-urge-ankara-to-free-soldiers-stop-violations
Euronews, 26.03.18: Will Turkey-EU summit help heal wounds? http://www.euronews.com/2018/03/26/will-turkey-eu-summit-help-heal-wounds-
BulgarianPresidency.eu, 25.03.18: Erdoğan comes to Varna with footage exposing 'EU terrorism support' http://bulgarianpresidency.eu/erdogan-comes-to-varna-with-footage-exposing-eu-terrorism-support/
Anadolu Agency, 27.03.18: EU should be clear on its stance on Turkey: Turkish PM https://aa.com.tr/en/europe/eu-should-be-clear-on-its-stance-on-turkey-pm/1100627
Hürriyet Daily News [Opinion]: Varna summit signals a new model for Turkey-EU ties http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/opinion/serkan-demirtas/varna-summit-signals-a-new-model-for-turkey-eu-ties-129398
Hürriyet Daily News, 28.03.18: Turkey, EU agree to accelerate relations: Erdoğan http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-eu-agree-to-accelerate-relations-erdogan-129401
Euro|topics, March 2018: EU-Turkey summit: step-by-step rapprochement? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/196882/eu-turkey-summit-step-by-step-rapprochement

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