ANKARA, (TDI): Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a meeting on Tuesday with ambassadors from European Union member states to discuss bilateral relations.
The discussions, held in Ankara, emphasized mutual respect, shared interests, and common values, according to a statement from the EU Delegation to Türkiye on X.
“As Türkiye, an EU candidate country, and the EU re-engage amidst global challenges, the strong foundation of their partnership was emphasized,” the delegation noted.
The meeting was attended by EU Ambassador Thomas Hans Ossowski and Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister and EU Affairs Director Mehmet Kemal Bozay.
In December, Fidan highlighted the need for the EU to adopt a merit-based approach to Türkiye’s membership process, advocating for greater regional collaboration. He underscored Türkiye’s geostrategic importance to Europe and called for stronger ties to address shared challenges.
Also Read: Turkiye, Pakistan Agree to Boost B2B Activities
Fidan previously participated in an informal EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels in August.
Türkiye, a strategic partner for the EU in areas such as climate, migration, security, and the economy, applied for EU membership in 1987 and initiated accession talks in 2005. However, progress has since stalled due to political obstacles posed by some member states.
Also Read: Turkiye Urges France to Reclaim Militants from Syria
Türkiye’s integration efforts with Europe date back to 1959 and include milestones such as the 1963 Ankara Agreement and the establishment of a Customs Union in 1995.
