European Council considers report of HRVP for a more ‘positive engagement’ on EU-Turkey relations

At the December 2020 European Council, EU leaders invited the EU’s High Representative (HRVP) to submit a report on the state of play of EU-Turkey political, economic and trade relations, and on instruments and options on how to proceed. 

Ahead of the European Council Borrell said that the EU has seen some positive developments over the last month on the part of Turkey, but that the situation remains fragile. Borrell said that he will lay out what he described as a double-track approach to EU leaders today: “On the one hand positive measures and on the other hand measures that can be taken if the situation deteriorates. Those measures have to be implemented in a gradual and progressive way to make them reversible. We're trying to look for a positive engagement.”

The current EU-Turkey relations will be assessed in the broader context of recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and on other regional issues. 

Over recent years Turkey has escalated its rhetoric against the EU and taken unilateral actions including oil exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey also took steps to open Varosha a contested area subject to UN council resolutions on the island of Cyprus. The European Union has consistently supported the resumption of negotiations, under the auspices of the UN to reach a comprehensive settlement on Cyprus.

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