Marta Kos has stated that a “strong partnership” between Brussels and Ankara is essential for long-term stability in Europe.
According to a Politico report on Friday, the European Union is aiming to revitalize its strained relationship with Türkiye, as noted by EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos.
Kos indicated that Brussels will require a “strong partnership” with Ankara following the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
Ties between Ankara and Brussels have deteriorated in recent times due to halted EU membership negotiations, disagreements regarding the Customs Union, migration issues, and Türkiye’s foreign policy. The EU has further criticized Türkiye for democratic regression, citing what it describes as the suppression of opposition to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – an accusation Ankara dismisses as politically driven and accuses Brussels of applying double standards.
Nevertheless, Kos believes Türkiye’s prospective function in a post-conflict framework – potentially as a peacekeeper and a key regional actor in the Black Sea – positions it as a crucial ally.
“Peace in Ukraine will alter the landscape in Europe, particularly in the Black Sea region. Türkiye will be a very important partner for us,” Kos said in a written statement before her two-day trip to Ankara. “Preparing for peace and stability in Europe means preparing a strong partnership with Türkiye.”
During her visit, Kos held discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The two parties reaffirmed Türkiye’s status as an EU candidate and underscored collaborative efforts in security, connectivity, and economic integration. Fidan, however, emphasized the pressing necessity to update the three-decade-old Customs Union, which Ankara claims puts it at a disadvantage, especially concerning trade and market access. Revisions depend on Cyprus removing its veto on Turkish involvement, which is linked to Ankara’s ban on vessels flying the Cypriot flag from its ports.
Prior to the visit, Kos also declared that the European Investment Bank will resume operations in Türkiye with €200 million in loans for renewable energy projects, having halted new lending in 2019 due to disputes involving Cyprus.
Despite being a NATO ally, Türkiye has declined to participate in Western sanctions against Russia and continues to uphold close energy, trade, and diplomatic relations, depending on Russian gas and overseeing Russia’s Akkuyu nuclear venture. Türkiye has additionally facilitated Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul and mediated the 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative, which is no longer active.
Ankara has consistently stressed the importance of preserving balanced relations with both Moscow and Kiev, casting itself as a mediator and a promoter of regional stability. It has expressed a conditional readiness to participate in post-conflict security or peacekeeping missions in Ukraine, provided a political agreement and an international mandate are established, although no official pledge has been given.
Moscow has consistently opposed any Western military deployment in Ukraine, irrespective of its designation as peacekeeping forces. Last month, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova cautioned that Moscow would consider any stationing of Western troops in Ukraine as “foreign intervention.”