Germany, Turkey want 'improved ties,' say foreign ministers

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Amid a renewed commitment by Turkey and Germany to improve bilateral ties, the relations between Ankara and Brussels are also in a more positive place now, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

Ties between EU membership candidate Turkey and the bloc are getting better thanks also to constructive steps from Europe, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told a joint news conference with his visiting counterpart Heiko Maas in the capital, Ankara, yesterday (January 18).

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Last year, the trade volume between the two countries hit 38 billion US dollars despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.

"If I said new chapters in [Turkey's EU accession] negotiations can be opened immediately, that wouldn't be true, let's be realistic," he told reporters.

"Not because we don't want it, rather the EU doesn't want it, because it has problems with enlargement policies."

But the visa liberalization the EU promised for Turkey in 2016 could be implemented, Çavuşoğlu added.

"Consultation talks between Greece and Turkey will start on January 25 thanks to the support of Germany," he said, reiterating that Turkey is ready to meet with Greece to discuss the issues between the two countries.

Karabakh ceasefire and relations with Armenia

Touching on last November's cease-fire in Upper Karabakh, he said that now there is an important opportunity for a permanent solution in the region following a nearly 30-year political deadlock and 44 days of armed conflict.

"If there was a permanent cease-fire, Turkey and Azerbaijan could take steps to normalize relations with Armenia, if they believe in that," he added.

During the news conference, Çavuşoğlu said he would meet with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on updating the 2016 migration deal and holding an Eastern Mediterranean conference proposed by Turkey.

Çavuşoğlu added that during the meeting the two diplomats also discussed the latest developments in Syria as well as Libya.

Maas: We want to enhance our ties

For his part, Maas stressed that he hopes for a deepening of bilateral relations between Turkey and the EU.

Maas said last year difficult debates over such issues as the Eastern Mediterranean led to unfortunate incidents, as when warships of some allies faced off, adding: "We do not want to see these incidents anymore."

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He said that he is very pleased with Turkey's intention to start exploratory meetings with Greece, adding that many European governments also welcome this step towards a diplomatic solution for stability in the region.

"We would like to make an effort to enhance our bilateral relations and ties between Turkey and the EU towards a forward-looking development path with permanently constructive relations," Maas said.

He added that Europe may not properly appreciate Turkey hosting millions of Syrian refugees, but it has been a success.

After a year of ups and downs in Turkish-EU ties, Turkish leaders have said they hope for progress this year, and expect the bloc to take clear steps towards this end. (EKN/VK)