Erdoğan aide calls talks with top EU officials "positive"
"We discussed issues including updating the refugee deal, the renewal of the Customs Union, the granting of visa liberalization for Turkish citizens, inter-public contacts and high-level political consultations," Ibrahim Kalın -- Turkey's presidential spokesman -- told the media outlets on Tuesday as describing the talks with the EU chiefs as "positive".
- World
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 12:44 | 07 April 2021
- Modified Date: 12:46 | 07 April 2021
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's meeting with top European Union officials was held in a positive atmosphere, the country's presidential spokesman said Tuesday.
Erdoğan met with Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, at the presidential complex in the capital Ankara.
Ibrahim Kalın said in a statement that they discussed issues including updating the refugee deal, the renewal of the Customs Union, the granting of visa liberalization for Turkish citizens, inter-public contacts and high-level political consultations.
It was stated that the EU should take concrete steps to support the positive agenda, he added.
Stressing that Erdoğan put forward a perspective on the future of Turkey's relations with the EU, Kalın said Turkey's ultimate aim is full membership in the bloc.
He said strengthening political, economic and social relations between Turkey and the EU not only helps for the stability of Turkey and the European countries but also in achieving regional peace.
He added that they discussed the refugee problem, which should be handled with a sense of shared responsibility, as well as the urgent need for the renewal of the refugee deal.