Home » EU leaders in Turkey to mend with Erdogan: a new check for migrants on the plate

EU leaders in Turkey to mend with Erdogan: a new check for migrants on the plate

by admin

BRUSSELS – A “frank” but “positive” meeting, useful for relaunching relations between the European Union and Turkey. Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel fly to Ankara from Recep Tayyip Erdogan and take home the result. At least for now, since the path will be “long”. Europe asks the Sultan to continue the de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean with Greece and Cyprus, to continue hosting Syrian refugees and to respect human rights (“non-negotiable”). Just as they address the issue of the Turkish presence in Libya. On the plate they put the promise of the continent’s governments of a new tranche of European money for migrants, of economic benefits and a new visa policy. In fact, Erdogan’s historic requests to behave closely.

The climate between Europe and Turkey has changed since the end of 2020. The tensions over drilling in the territorial waters of Cyprus and Greece and the clashes between Brussels and Ankara over the related sanctions seem to have been closed. The same goes for the diplomatic frictions on Syria and Libya and Erdogan’s threats to reopen the Balkan Route accompanied by massive landings on the Greek islands. For this reason, at the summit in March, the heads of states and governments set themselves the goal of normalizing relations with the Turkish president. Message that Michel and von der Leyen, presidents of the EU Council and Commission, brought to Ankara. A “progressive and proportional” path in view of the European summit in June for which “a prolonged de-escalation” is necessary. Moves that the Europeans agreed with the US: before seeing Erdogan, von der Leyen and Michel met the American ambassador to Turkey and found, European sources explain, “a complete alignment”.

See also  Citizenship income, the fears of right-wing mayors: "Social turbulence is coming". The request to the government to act immediately

Put simply, if Erdogan does not become the protagonist of new tears and provocations, at the summit at the beginning of the summer, the heads of state and government will turn into reality the “positive agenda on migrants, the economy and ties between peoples” promised in Ankara. The EU Commission is already working on it. And it will contain, in fact, a new check that will be added to the 6 billion for migrants disbursed in 2016: “The EU – said Michel – appreciates that Turkey hosts 4 million refugees and agrees that European financial assistance will continue: the Commission will present a proposal “. Furthermore, Brussels is putting greater economic cooperation on the table with a new Customs Union that updates and deepens the one launched in 1995 for the benefit of Turkish GDP and easier visas for Turkish citizens to enter Europe. The future of Tripoli could also enter the European do ut des, as Michel explained: “The differences remain, but new opportunities for peace and stability emerge, especially in Libya. All fighters and foreign troops must leave Libyan territory”.

In the words of von der Leyen it also emerged that “respect for fundamental rights is crucial for Europe: Turkey must respect them”. The German said she was “deeply concerned that Turkey has withdrawn from the Istanbul Convention” on combating gender-based violence: “It is clearly the wrong signal right now”. The president of the European Commission has guaranteed that rights “must be an integral part of our relationship”. The next few months will tell whether Europeans will have the same dignity as geopolitical dossiers.

See also  Massacre Capaci, the police remember the sacrifice of the agents Montinaro, Schifani and Dicillo

.

You may also like

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More

Privacy & Cookies Policy