EU and Turkey Push to Strengthen Partnership as Regional Security Challenges Mount

The European Union is seeking to strengthen its relationship with Turkey as growing geopolitical uncertainty reshapes regional alliances and security priorities.

On Tuesday, a high-level EU delegation travelled to Ankara for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, focusing on closer cooperation in areas ranging from security and migration to trade, transport and energy.

The delegation included EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. European officials described the visit as a "jumbo meeting," reflecting its unusually broad agenda.

The discussions come just days before the upcoming NATO summit, although both sides stressed that the visit was primarily dedicated to EU-Turkey relations rather than alliance affairs.

Turkey has officially been an EU candidate country since accession negotiations began in 2005, but the membership process has remained largely frozen for years. Even so, Brussels increasingly views Ankara as an indispensable regional partner at a time when security concerns extend well beyond Europe's borders.

Following her meeting with Erdoğan, Kallas described Turkey as an important partner in areas including security, migration and energy, while also highlighting its contribution to NATO's eastern flank.

Regional conflicts featured prominently during the talks.

Both sides discussed developments in the Middle East, including Iran, Syria and Gaza, alongside issues affecting Africa and the South Caucasus. According to a joint statement released after the meetings, the EU and Turkey reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral cooperation and support for a rules-based international order.

Officials also examined the possibility of Turkish participation in a future European mission in Lebanon. With the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon approaching expiration, regional governments are already considering possible alternatives.

The meeting also covered cooperation on Ukraine, where EU officials welcomed Turkey's expanding security ties with Kyiv, as well as broader efforts to strengthen stability in the Black Sea region.

Romania and Bulgaria are currently promoting the creation of a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, while both Brussels and Ankara expressed support for lasting peace in the South Caucasus following last year's peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Economic cooperation formed another major pillar of the discussions.

The European Commission continues to promote development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, commonly known as the Middle Corridor, which would connect Europe with Central Asia through Turkey while avoiding routes passing through Russia.

Commissioner Marta Kos said changing geopolitical realities were forcing governments and businesses alike to rethink global supply chains and transport corridors.

She also held separate meetings with Turkey's finance, transport and trade ministers to discuss expanding economic cooperation and modernising Turkey's participation in the EU customs union.

The current customs arrangement dates back to 1995 and no longer reflects today's commercial landscape, with several sectors still excluded from its scope. Both sides also welcomed Turkey's participation in the Single European Payments Area, aimed at simplifying cross-border electronic payments, alongside the gradual return of European Investment Bank financing in the country.

Migration remained another central topic.

The EU and Turkey agreed to continue cooperating on border management, combating migrant smuggling and implementing existing agreements governing the return of individuals residing illegally in each other's territory.

Brussels also reiterated its intention to expand legal mobility opportunities for Turkish citizens, including continued work on visa liberalisation under the Schengen system.

Despite the more constructive atmosphere, several longstanding disagreements remain unresolved.

Human rights and democratic standards were raised during the talks, with EU officials stressing that Turkey, as a candidate country, is expected to uphold the highest standards of the rule of law and democratic governance.

The issue has become increasingly sensitive following last year's arrest of Istanbul Mayor and opposition presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, a move that drew criticism from European institutions.

Cyprus also remains a source of tension.

The joint communiqué reaffirmed support for United Nations-led efforts to resolve the long-running dispute over the island, whose northern territory has been under Turkish control for decades.

The visit also followed comments by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Germany, where she grouped Turkey alongside Russia and China while discussing foreign influence on Europe. The comparison prompted criticism from Ankara, which argues that, as both a NATO member and an EU candidate, it should not be placed in the same category.

EU officials indicated Erdoğan is expected to address the issue directly with von der Leyen during next week's NATO summit.

Although Turkey's path toward EU membership remains uncertain, shifting geopolitical realities are encouraging both sides to deepen practical cooperation. Security, trade and regional stability appear to be providing common ground, even as political disagreements continue to cast a long shadow over the relationship.

Written by Andreas Hofer andreas.hofer@alpineweekly.com