European Council President Charles Michel said in Ankara on Tuesday that Turkey's withdrawal from an international pact to curb violence against women raises serious concerns after what he called a "frank" discussion with President Tayyip Erdogan. https://www.eudebates.tv/debates/special-debates/migration/frontex-debates-one-investigation-closes-as-another-begins/ Michel, at a press conference alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who also met the Turkish leader, said it was positive that Ankara had de-escalated tensions with bloc member Cyprus over offshore rights and should be enhanced. <br /><br />#Turkey #Dialogue #Greece #debates #HagiaSophia #Migration #Turkey #Ankara #Erdogan #Anastasiades <br /><br />The European Union's top two officials will pay a rare visit on Tuesday to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan aimed at testing his avowed commitment to improve uneasy ties. Years of disagreements over a growing list of issues threatened to boil over last summer when Turkey sent navy ships to support an energy exploration mission in waters claimed by EU members Cyprus and Greece.<br /><br />#eudebates #EU #europe #Turkey #Borders #Migrants #Cyprus #Greece <br /><br />Tensions cooled somewhat when Turkey withdrew the vessels and this year engaged in its first maritime talks with Greece since 2016.<br /><br />The bloc pulled back from its threat to sanction Turkey as a result.<br /><br />European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Charles Michel will now see how Erdogan intends to follow through on his repeatedly stated desire to "turn a new page" in relations.<br /><br />Setting of terms <br /><br />The Turks say they want to move forward from "positive" talks held in a series of calls to "concrete action" -- especially on migration.<br /><br />But EU officials warn that any improvement depends on how Erdogan -- who was leader when Turkey formally opened talks to join the bloc in 2005 -- acts and whether he remains a constructive partner.<br /><br />The possible thaw coincides with a toughening on Turkey from the White House, where the election of President Joe Biden saw Erdogan lose a personal friend in Donald Trump.<br /><br />In a "carrot-and-stick" approach, the EU is dangling the possibility of updating the sides' customs union, visa liberalisation, providing more money for refugees and increased dialogue with Turkey on several fronts.<br /><br />But an EU official insisted that Tuesday's meeting "will not be a moment of negotiations" but rather a chance for the sides to lay out their terms for improved ties.<br /><br />List of grievances <br /><br />The meeting comes on the heels of Turkey's withdrawal last month from a treaty combating violence against women and the launch of a formal bid to shut down the country's main pro-Kurdish party.<br /><br />Although Brussels condemned both decisions, EU leaders last month still reiterated their commitment to work with Turkey if the "current de-escalation is sustained".<br /><br />Both sides have lists of grievances they want addressed.<br />
