AI SUMMARY – What you should know before reading
- Turkey is pushing for renewed talks on upgrading its customs union with the EU.
- The current agreement dates back to 1995.
- Migration cooperation and visa facilitation are key issues.
- Turkey’s EU accession process remains stalled.
Main Article
Turkey is seeking to reset a crucial element of its long and often strained relationship with the European Union. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan plans to press for an immediate restart of negotiations on modernising the EU–Turkey customs union during a visit by EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos to Ankara, according to sources cited by Reuters.
The customs union, in force since 1995, has been a cornerstone of economic ties between Turkey and the EU. However, it covers only industrial goods and processed agricultural products, excluding services, digital trade and public procurement. Turkish officials argue that the agreement no longer reflects modern economic realities.
Turkey has been an official EU candidate country since 1999, but accession talks have effectively stalled over concerns related to human rights, democratic governance and the rule of law. Despite this, cooperation continues in areas of mutual interest, particularly migration.
Fidan is expected to stress Turkey’s role in curbing irregular migration to Europe. Under the 2016 migration deal, Ankara agreed to host millions of refugees in exchange for EU financial support. Turkish officials now call for a fairer sharing of responsibility and long-term solutions.
Visa facilitation is also expected to feature prominently. Ankara wants the EU to fully implement a recent decision aimed at easing travel for Turkish citizens to the Schengen area, viewing it as a measure of trust between partners.
Analysts suggest that upgrading the customs union could serve as a pragmatic way forward, strengthening economic ties without reopening the politically sensitive accession debate. For both sides, it may offer a path to cooperation amid ongoing political differences.