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German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the bilateral agreement on Belarus and the strategic approach towards Turkey as a step forward after the end of the first day of the European Council.
Specifically, the Chancellor stated that “today we have had many discussions on the issues of Belarus and Turkey, Cyprus and Greece. In short, I can say that they were a total success.”
“Today we can say that there are sanctions against the actors in Belarus, which means that the European Union is now taking action against those who oppose democratic movements.” I think this sends a very important signal. “
Second, we have agreed on an approach to our strategic relationship with Turkey. It was a long and difficult debate because, of course, Greece and Cyprus demanded their rights as Member States. But we also had a very frank discussion about the need to analyze all of our relations with Turkey. “That is why we now want to call for a constructive agenda with Turkey, provided that efforts to reduce tensions continue, as has been the trend in view of some of its ‘actions’ in recent weeks,” she said.
“We hope that this will give new impetus to the negotiations with Turkey, on the one hand, the discussion of bilateral issues relating to Greece and Cyprus, but on the other hand also issues relating to the European Union and Turkey, for example, cooperation with the refugees or cooperation in a customs union. “Of course we will continue this process and record the results at the December council meeting at the latest,” Merkel said.
“And I can also say, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, on behalf of our Minister for Foreign Affairs, and on behalf of myself as Chancellor, that in our talks with Turkey we want to promote this positive agenda, because we know, although” Things on which we can disagree: that strategic relations with Turkey are important, “he said.
“In general, today we had extensive and sometimes difficult discussions, but we reached an agreement and we can show results. “The fact that we have come to an agreement both on the sanctions against Belarus and on Turkey is, I think, a big step forward.”
Source: ΚΥΠΕ
