Turkey's Renewed Diplomatic Efforts with EU Amidst Historical Disputes

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is looking to improve strained relations with the European Union during a meeting in Brussels. The discussion will address long-standing issues including human rights, migration, and the Cyprus conflict. High-level talks aim to modernize the EU-Turkey Customs Union and discuss visa regulations.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan aims to make strides in mending Ankara's strained relationship with the European Union. This is his first attendance at an EU ministers' meeting in Brussels in five years, according to a ministry insider.

Turkey's ambitions to join the EU, initiated two decades ago, have been hindered by concerns over its human rights record and policy clashes in the eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus. Nevertheless, the EU relies on Turkey, a NATO member, for essential cooperation on migration.

Relations between Turkey and EU-member Greece hit a low in 2019, prompting Brussels to consider sanctions against Ankara and sever some communication channels. Relations have seen improvement since 2021 with the resumption of high-level talks. Turkey views the EU's invitation to Fidan as an effort to renew dialogue, citing that strengthened relations would benefit both parties.

Fidan intends to convey Turkey's expectations for demonstrable will and concrete steps to enhance ties, as per a ministry insider. The agenda includes discussions on visa policies and updating the EU-Turkey Customs Union, areas where Ankara has sought progress for months without much headway.

Fidan is set to meet EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and enlargement commissioner Oliver Varhelyi, reiterating Turkey's stance on Cyprus. Turkey, along with its Turkish Cypriot allies, advocates for a two-state solution, an approach dismissed by the EU, Greece, and the recognized Greek Cypriot administration.

Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos anticipates sincere and open discussions on contentious issues with Ankara. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis emphasized the need to restart dialogue on Cyprus within the framework of U.N. Security Council resolutions, leveraging the improving Turkish-Greek relations.

A Greek official quoted Gerapetritis as reiterating that Athens supports Turkey's European ambitions but stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty of all EU member states and the union's Common Foreign and Security Policy.

(With inputs from agencies.)