The European Union and Turkey held a political dialogue at political director level. The meeting took place in Brussels on Friday, 13 September.
Diplomatic sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Turkish media that the Turkish delegation was headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Faruk Kaymakçı. Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service Jean Christophe Belliard and the Director General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission Christian Danielssonhe led the EU delegation during the meeting.
The sides discussed the Turkish accession negotiations process, financial cooperation, visa liberalization process, upgrade of the customs union, as well as other main items of Turkey-EU agenda, such as counter-terrorism and migration.
During the meeting, both parties also stressed that the increase of dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Turkey is not only important for the sides, but it is also significant for establishing peace and welfare in a wider geography.
The meeting came days after European Commission President-Designate, Ursula von der Leyen stated that "Turkey's accession negotiations have effectively come to a standstill, and no further chapters can be considered for opening or closing, as Turkey continues to move away from the European Union." Von der Leyen however also stated that Turkey "does, however, remain a key partner, with common challenges and interests such as on security, migration, economy or trade." Von der Leyen's comments were contained in a letter to László Trócsányi, who she nominated to take on the role of Commisssioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, and was published last week on the website of the European Commission.
source: commonspace.eu with agencies
