Geostrategic Europe

​ EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas, accompanied by the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner were in Turkiye on Tuesday (30 June). Kallas and her delegation met with Turkish president, Recip Tayib Erdogan, and with Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan. They discussed EU-Türkiye relations in a global perspective, recalling Türkiye’s candidate status and acknowledging the strategic value of Türkiye-EU relations in promoting regional stability and economic resilience in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. They reviewed issues of common interest including economic and trade cooperation, connectivity, migration, security and common challenges in foreign and security policy. They reaffirmed the shared determination to take steps that would further enhance the cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship in these areas. The visit comes on the eve of a major NATO summit, which is due to be held in Turkiye 7-8 July, In the meeting with Erdogan, the two sides discussed relations between Turkey and the European Union, regional and international issues, and preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. According to Anadolu, the talks were held behind closed doors. Also present on the Turkish side were Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Head of the Communications Directorate of the Presidential Administration Burhanettin Duran, and Presidential Adviser on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç. Kaja Kallas, in turn, commented on her meeting with the Turkish President on social media. "Turkey is a key partner in security, migration, and energy issues, as well as a candidate country for EU membership," Kallas wrote. "It was a pleasure to speak with President Erdoğan today about further strengthening relations between the EU and Turkey, as well as the importance of good neighborly relations," she noted. "We also discussed Russia's war against Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East, and preparations for the NATO summit in Ankara. Turkey makes a significant contribution to defending NATO's eastern flank," the EU High Representative concluded. ​(click image to read more)

The leaders of the states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEAS) issued a tough statement warning fellow-member state Armenia of the consequences of its desire to join the European Union. The stark, sharply worded,  warning, comes days before crucial parliamentary elections in Armenia, scheduled for 7 June. The full statement said, “We, the Presidents of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation, Taking into account the actions of the Republic of Armenia aimed at joining the European Union, including the approval in 2025 by the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and the signing by the President of the Republic of Armenia of the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On the Start of the Process of Accession of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union", as well as the confirmation by the European Union of the European aspirations of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, expressed in the joint declaration following the first Armenia-European Union summit, adopted on 5 May 2026, Taking into account the significant risks to the economic security of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (hereinafter referred to as the Union) arising in connection with the preparation of the Republic of Armenia for accession to the European Union, as well as the need to prevent the associated damage to the member states of the Union: decided that the members of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council from the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation will report at the next meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in December 2026 on the possible consequences of the suspension of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union with respect to the Republic of Armenia. We share the position on the need to hold a national referendum in the Republic of Armenia as soon as possible on joining the European Union or continuing to be part of the Eurasian Economic Union. Astana, May 29, 2026” A meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council was held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on May 29, 2026. The meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in a restricted format was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko , Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev , Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov , Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, and Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Bakytzhan Sagintayev. From the Russian side, the meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and member of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission Alexey Overchuk and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov . The heads of delegations from EAEU observer states, including President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev , Vice President of Cuba Salvador Valdés Mesa, Minister of Industry, Mines, and Trade of Iran Mohammad Atabak, and CIS Secretary General Sergei Lebedev, joined the expanded meeting . Following the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, a number of documents were signed .