Turkey Receives Invitation From EU After Five Years: A New Era Begins With Minister Fidan’s Visit to Brussels
Turkey has been invited to participate in the European Union (EU) Informal Meeting of Foreign Ministers (Gymnich), which is scheduled to take place in Brussels on August 29. Minister Fidan will be representing Turkey at this important event.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli confirmed that Turkey has received an invitation from the EU to attend the talks in the Gymnich margin. It is expected that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will be attending the meeting in Brussels.
The invitation from the EU was seen as a positive step towards dialogue by Keçeli. She expressed hope that this invitation would lead to the amendment of the EU Foreign Affairs Council decisions that have strained relations between Turkey and the EU since 2019. Keçeli highlighted the importance of developing relations between Turkey and the EU in the face of regional and global challenges.
Keçeli emphasized that this positive approach should not be limited to the Gymnich meetings. She stressed the need for continuous and systematic cooperation and dialogue with the EU in various areas to strengthen relations in a sustainable and predictable manner.
This invitation marks Turkey’s return to the Gymnich meetings after a 5-year hiatus. The Gymnich meetings provide a platform for EU Foreign Ministers to exchange views on international issues in an informal setting. These meetings help to coordinate the EU’s foreign policy and security strategies, develop common views and strategies among member states, and define and implement common foreign policy goals.
Keçeli also pointed out the importance of taking concrete steps to address major issues such as reviving Turkey’s accession process, updating the Customs Union, visa liberalization, and enhancing cooperation in politics, economy, transportation, and energy. The Gymnich meetings will play a crucial role in fostering closer cooperation between Turkey and the EU in these areas.
