European Union–Turkey relations

The European Union plans to spend hundreds of millions of euros over the next year helping refugees living in Turkey most of them people who fled the war in Syria.

Turkey's LC Waikiki opened its flagship store in Kampala, Uganda.

The fashion retailer is ​​​​​​​Europe's fastest-growing urban fashion chain, internationally renowned for offering high-quality apparel at a great value.

As the global ambassador of Turkey, LC Waikiki opened its first store outside Turkey in 2009 and has since expanded rapidly across the world.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a video conference on Dec. 19 discussed bilateral ties and Turkey-EU relations.

"Turkey wants to open a new page in relations with the EU," Erdoğan said, according to a statement from Turkey's Communications Directorate.

President Tayyip Erdogan told European Council President Charles Michel in a call that Turkey wants to build its future with the EU, calling for Ankara and the bloc to move on from a "vicious cycle" in ties, the Turkish presidency said late on Tuesday.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke over the phone with the head of the European Council, an official statement said on Dec. 15.

The statement by Turkey's Communications Directorate said Charles Michel called Erdoğan to inform him and exchange views on the recently held EU summit.

The European Union is taking "slow, albeit steady steps" toward pressuring Turkey to de-escalate tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean region, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said on Monday with regards to the conclusions of last week's European Council.

The EU leaders should comprehend the strategic importance of the bloc's relations with Turkey and should not allow any initiative that would hinder ties, Turkey's presidential spokesman said on Dec. 11.

EU leaders plan to discuss arm exports to Turkey with NATO allies and Washington, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said today, after Greece's push at the December 10-11 EU summit for an arms embargo on Ankara was dismissed.

Germany and Bulgaria were the most vocal among the EU countries who blocked sanctions against Turkey at the EU summit on Thursday (10 December), reports EURACTIV.

"German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov were the EU leaders who openly opposed sanctions against Ankara," the sources said.

EU leaders at the start of a two day EU summit, in Brussels, 10 December 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE/OLIVIER HOSLET/POOL

The decision allows the EU to penalize individuals and companies involved in planning and carrying out gas exploration in the East Med, with sanctions of travel bans into EU countries and asset freezes.