Turkey, EU to continue to work on positive agenda: Çavuşoğlu

Turkey has said it will continue to work with the European Union on a positive agenda outlined by Brussels which includes the renewal of the migrant deal, upgrading the customs union and visa liberalization, as EU's top diplomat revealed a comprehensive report on ties with Turkey that suggests opening a path for improved cooperation in the mentioned areas but also imposing sanctions if Ankara changes its behavior in the Mediterranean dispute.

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who was in Brussels for the NATO foreign ministerial meeting, came together with EU's high representative for foreign and security policies, Josep Borrell, late March 22 at a working dinner. The meeting came right after Borrell unveiled a report on the state of play in ties with Turkey.

"[We] will work together with EU High Representative @JosepBorrellF to continue the positive agenda. More cooperation is needed on updating Customs Union, visa liberalization, irregular migration and fight against terrorism," Çavuşoğlu said on Twitter after the meeting. He also informed that they discussed regional issues including Syria, Afghanistan and Libya.

For his part, Borrell said he discussed with Çavuşoğlu the state of play of EU - Turkey relations after the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) that took place on March 22 and ahead of the March 25-26 EU Council meeting.

"Particular emphasis on talks with Greece, Cyprus, regional conflicts, in particular Libya, and on the domestic situation," he said on Twitter.

Borrell's report on ties with Turkey

Borrell outlined his report titled "State of play of EU-Turkey political, economic and trade relations" at the FAC meeting that needs to be adopted by EU leaders when they meet later this week. The 16-page...