EU-Turkey relations carry a strategic significance

According to EFD Senior Policy Advisor Dr. Demir Murat Seyrek, the refugee crisis has demonstrated that the meaning of EU-Turkey relations goes beyond the discussions regarding Turkey’s full admission to the European Union. Turkey cannot ignore the EU and the EU cannot ignore Turkey; they are necessary to one another.

Important steps have already been taken in order to improve the relationship between the two parts, like the bilateral German –Turkey cooperation which no one expected possible, says Dr. Seyrek. However, Turkey must still deal with many unsolved issues within its territory, such as terrorism and problems concerning human rights before it can really expect to see a positive outcome in its path to obtaining a stable position within the European Union.

This article is in Turkish and can be read here.