TURKEY-EU HIGH LEVEL DIALOGUES
Following the meeting of EU Heads of State or Government with Turkey on 29 November 2015, the parties highlighted that a new momentum has been achieved in relations with a pledge to re-energise Turkey’s EU accession process. This meeting came at a critical juncture for Turkey-EU relations as regards the refugee crisis and the fight against terrorism. Furthermore, the parties recognised the critical importance of strengthening their cooperation towards common challenges such as the fight against terrorism, the refugee crisis, security of energy supply, economic instability, etc.
In the context of Turkey’s EU accession process, both parties have already engaged in closer cooperation by organising annual meetings in topics of critical importance (political issues, economic affairs, energy, etc.). With its strategic location, Turkey is recognised as an active regional foreign policy player by the EU especially at a time of increased instability in the region. At the occasion of the EU General Affairs Council which was convened on 16 December 2014, it had been specified to establish high level dialogue in terms of economic affairs.
At this time, high level dialogues have been developed in the following key areas: energy, political affairs, economic affairs and transport. The high level dialogue meetings have been temporarily interrupted by the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which on 15 July 2019 citing Turkey's hydrocarbon drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, stated that no further meetings of the EU-Turkey high-level dialogues would be held for the time being. However, within the scope of the proposed Positive Agenda with Turkey, EU leaders gave a green light to relaunch the high level dialogues on areas of mutual interest such as public health, climate and counter-terrorism along with regional issues in the European Council meeting on 25 March 2021.
Turkey-EU High Level Energy Dialogue
The Turkey-EU High Level Energy Dialogue aims at further strengthening energy cooperation between the parties along by providing a forum to assess the latest developments in both parties’ energy sectors. Turkey is known to be a strategic partner of the EU in terms of further securing its energy supply.
The first Turkey-EU High Level Energy Dialogue was launched in Istanbul on 16 March 2015. This meeting had been an opportunity for the parties to assess the status of their respective energy sectors and the possibilities of further enhancing cooperation in that respect. In that context, Turkey’s progress in aligning its legislation with the EU Acquis in that field had been particularly highlighted. The parties also acknowledged the utmost importance of securing and diversifying their energy supplies.
The second Turkey-EU High Level Energy Dialogue was held in Istanbul on 28 January 2016. Both parties touched upon the progress achieved in the area since the previous meeting and explored further areas of cooperation. In that context, they pledged to strengthen their cooperation in order to secure and diversify their energy supply sources. Issues that are high on both Turkey and the EU’s energy agendas such as gas, nuclear safety, energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources were also discussed. Moreover, the parties also reaffirmed their joint commitment to the successful implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor which is expected to allow gas flowing to Europe through Turkey by 2020. At the ministerial level, two meetings have been organised until today. The last one was held in Brussels on 26 February 2018.
Turkey-EU High Level Political Dialogue
The Turkey-EU High Level Political Dialogue aims at providing a platform of discussion between Turkey and the EU in tackling issues of mutual concern. Thus, it provides valuable opportunities to discuss issues high on the agenda of the parties and find ways to further improve cooperation in that respect.
The first Turkey-EU High Level Political Dialogue was held on 25 January 2016 in Ankara with the participation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, the then Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ambassador Volkan Bozkır, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn. Turkey-EU High Level Political Dialogue is carried at all levels on issues of concern between the parties. It has provided a significant opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest in preparation for the next Turkey-EU Summit. The parties have reaffirmed that the accession negotiations constitute the cornerstone of Turkey-EU relations and thus welcomed the revitalisation of relations with the opening of new chapters to negotiations. This forum has provided an important platform for the parties to assess the latest developments with respect to their cooperation in the fight against terrorism and in tackling the ongoing refugee crisis.
Turkey-EU High Level Political Dialogue Meeting took also place in Ankara on 9 September 2016 and was particularly important as it was the first high level political dialogue to convene after the coup attempt of 15 July in Turkey. The Turkish side was represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik while the EU was represented by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn. During the meeting, the Turkish side informed their European counterparts on the 15 July coup attempt and its aftermath. The parties had a constructive discussion on Turkey’s accession talks and Turkey-EU cooperation in a wide range of areas including the migration crisis, counter-terrorism, the visa liberalisation dialogue and upgrading the Turkey-EU Customs Union as well as on regional issues.
On 13 June 2017, Turkey-EU Political Dialogue Meeting at the level of Directors was held in Brussels with the participation of Ministry for EU Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Commission and European External Action Service. The parties discussed accession negotiations, cooperation on irregular migration, visa liberalisation dialogue, fight against terrorism, modernisation process of the Customs Union. The next Turkey-EU High Level Economic Dialogue took place on 25 July 2017 in Brussels with the participation of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini and the Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn along with Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik. Regular discussions on foreign and security policy were held on a wide range of topics and regions including Syria, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and the Gulf, Afghanistan, Libya, Russia, Ukraine, the Western Balkans, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
On 28 November 2017, Turkey-EU Consultations on Counter-Terrorism took place in Ankara and the parties have come to an agreement to take concrete actions for the purpose of boosting cooperation. Then the following High Level Political Dialogue between Turkey and the EU occurred on 22 November 2018. The discussed topics were the Middle East and North Africa region (Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, Israel and Palestine and the Middle-East Peace Process) in addition Russia, Ukraine, South Caucasus, Central Asia, the Western Balkans and Rohingya.
Turkey-EU High Level Economic Dialogue
The Turkey-EU High Level Economic Dialogue aims at further enhancing economic relations and creating a platform for representatives of the business communities of both parties. Moreover, it facilitates exchanges between important actors of Turkish and EU economies with the aim of enhancing economic and trade relations between both parties.
The first Turkey-EU High Level Economic Dialogue meeting was held in Turkey on 25-26 April 2016. Officials from both the Commission and the Turkish Government, along with representatives from major Turkish and European businesses came together and focused on how to create a better business environment and further deepen bilateral relations in terms trade and investment. The importance of the revision of Turkey-EU Customs Union and Turkey’s inclusion to the TIPP process were highlighted. A robust reform agenda, the presence of strong, transparent and democratic institutions as well as the respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights were presented as essential components of a sound and attractive business environment.
On 7-8 December 2017, Turkey-EU High Level Economic Dialogue Meeting was held in Brussels where developments regarding macroeconomic issues and investments were evaluated and engagement with the business community was realised. Then, the next Turkey-EU High Level Economic Dialogue Meeting was organised on 28 February 2019.
Turkey-EU High Level Transport Dialogue
There were two Turkey-EU High Level Transport Dialogue Meetings; the first one on 27 November 2017 and the second one on 15 January 2019. The first High Level Transport Dialogue Meeting, took place in Brussels, was co-chaired by Ahmet Arslan, Turkey’s Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication and Violeta Bulc, Member of European Commission Responsible for Transport. The issues regarding Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T), road safety and civil aviation were tackled thoroughly. Furthermore, Turkey’s membership in European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL) was agreed.