IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu evaluated the results of the leaders summit in Varna which was held among President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the leaders of the EU institutions.

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu underlined that Turkey and the EU’s common will to keep the dialogue window open and to maintain the cooperation is an important acquisition and continued as following:

“Varna meeting was a significant step for Turkey and the EU to understand each other better and to make an effort towards creating a common ground. President Erdoğan emphasised that this meeting was a crucial start to establish trust between Turkey and the EU but also concrete steps in this direction arenecessary. After having presented Turkey’s claim for the EU’s future, President Erdoğan mentioned that Turkey’s exclusion from the EU’s enlargement perspective would be a serious mistake. President Erdoğan laid the base for a positiveagenda by suggesting common action for constructing a strong, prosperous and stable Europe. Now, it is time to make this positive agenda real. Rejuvenating the EU reforms would also break the EU’s mould.

IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu expressed that it is important for President Erdoğan’s expectations regarding visa liberalisation, Cyprus, fight against terrorism, the modernisation of the Customs Union was transferred to the EU verbally and in writing. He also added that mutual understanding is a must for a sincere dialogue:

“Turkey and the EU sides exchanged their priorities and expectations in Varna. In order to come up with progress in any mutual relationship, both sides need to clarify their positions clearly. This is an important step for the acceleration of the mutual dialogue. We could consider this Summit as an important step for Turkey and the EU to understand each other better and to restore the relations. After this, it is necessary to rebuild relations step-by-step and to bring the negotiations back on track. Revitalisation of Turkey’s EU perspective, ensuring progress in areas such as democracy, law as well as the rights and freedoms would create a positive momentum in all areas, from economy to politics.”

Lastly, Chairman Zeytinoğlu emphasised that the interdependence between Turkey and the EU is vital for the continuity of the relations:

“EU is a formation that we cannot ever neglect. The EU, with whom Turkey makes close to half of its exports and is a candidate for membership, is not only a governance system and a reform anchor, but also a social and economic model.

Turkey, similarly, is an indispensable country and a partner for the EU, in areas such as security, energy supply, migration management and fight against terrorism.

These conditions make it necessary for relations to move forward. In other words, the deterioration of relations and the increase in tension would not benefit anyone. Turkey's EU integration through accession could make a big difference not only for Turkey and the EU, but also for the stability and security of the nearby region.