EU's Kallas calls Türkiye 'key partner and significant regional actor'

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has reaffirmed Türkiye's importance as "a key partner for the European Union and a significant regional actor" during her diplomatic visit to Cyprus. Speaking at a press conference alongside Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos, Kallas emphasized the EU's continued constructive engagement with Ankara in areas of mutual interest.

EU-Türkiye Relations Context

While highlighting positive cooperation in shared interest areas, Kallas acknowledged that Türkiye's EU accession negotiations have remained "frozen" since 2018. The stalemate stems from longstanding concerns within the bloc regarding democratic standards and judicial independence in Türkiye, creating a complex diplomatic landscape for future relations between the European Union and its strategic partner.

Cyprus Issue and Regional Dynamics

The EU official identified the Cyprus situation as a significant factor in EU-Türkiye relations, expressing full support for United Nations-led settlement efforts. Kallas stressed that "both communities need a sustainable solution," noting that neither Türkiye nor the EU would govern the island in the future, and emphasizing that Greek and Turkish Cypriots must collaboratively address common challenges.

Defense Cooperation Considerations

When questioned about Türkiye's potential role in European defense architecture, Kallas pointed to increasing defense expenditures and industrial development among EU member states. She referenced the European Security Action Programme (SAFE) as an existing mechanism that balances defense readiness with support for Ukraine, while acknowledging that external procurement becomes necessary when European defense production proves insufficient.