EU measures against Turkey drilling

This week the European Council adopted a framework for restrictive measures in response to Turkey‘s unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. The framework will make it possible to sanction individuals or entities responsible for or involved in unauthorised drilling activities of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean. The @EUCouncil adopts a framework for targeted measures in response to #Turkey's…

MEPs to devote to human rights in Turkey

Brusssels. 20.06.2017. Turkey’s EU accession talks should be suspended if the proposed changes to the constitution go ahead, committee MEPs recommended on Tuesday. Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs note in their annual assessment of Turkey’s reform progress that 2016 was a difficult year for Turkey as a result of the war in Syria, the influx of…

Brussels to reframe EU-Turkey relations

The Nato, the EU, and trade – Turkey have enjoyed a productive relationship in many domains for decades. However, recently relations have turned reserved as concerns mount over the state of democracy, rule of law, and freedoms in the country where media outlets were shut down and journalists jailed. MEPs reflect upon the developments and…

Turkey claims EU visa-free

The deals with the European Union, including an agreement on hosting the flow of migrants in Turkey, would be jeopardized if the bloc failed to implement promised visa liberalization for Turks, – Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (pictured) said. Speaking to CNN Turk television Cavusolgu said Turkey would present a final text to the EU “and…

EU-Libya: still no solution for migrants

On 24 January 2017, the High Representative Federica Mogherini met in Brussels with the United Nations Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, Martin Kobler. Two top ranking international civil servants Federica Mogherini and Martin Kobler exchanged views on the political and security situation in Libya, and on the regional initiatives to support a…

EU-Turkey: to upgrade Customs Union?

The request of the European Commission to modernise the existing EU-Turkey Customs Union is motivated by the necessity to adapt the contemporary EU-Turkey trade relations, raising substantially the beneficial for both parties. With the evolution of the economic environment and the significant growth of EU-Turkey trade, the Customs Union that entered into force in 1996 is…