Josep Borrell

The European Union and Turkey pressed each other on Thursday to take concrete steps to improve relations long strained by  disagreements over energy, migration and Ankara's human rights record.

A diplomatic row has broken out between the UK and EU over the status of the bloc's ambassador in London.

The UK is refusing to give Joao Vale de Almeida the full diplomatic status that is granted to other ambassadors.

The Foreign Office is insisting he and his officials should not have the privileges and immunity afforded to diplomats under the Vienna Convention.

Turkey and the European Union were set to discuss the renewal of a 2016 migration agreement during a meeting late on Jan. 21, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said ahead of the meeting.

Turkey and the European Union must take concrete steps in order to maintain a recent positive atmosphere between them, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday, adding there was political will on both sides for a positive agenda.

Turkey and the European Union have started the year positively and steps to restart talks with Greece over hydrocarbons in the Mediterranean are welcome, but the EU remains concerned about human rights, the bloc's top envoy said on Thursday.

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias will on Monday meet with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels.

The meeting, which will coincide with the launch of the 61st round of exploratory talks between Athens and Ankara in Istanbul, will take place on the sidelines of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu will pay a two-day visit to Brussels to discuss the future of Turkey-EU relations with senior EU officials, including matters concerning visa waiver to Turkish nationals, updating customs union and renewing of migrant deal.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has reiterated criticism of Turkey's decision to reopen part of the beachfront of Varosha, a resort abandoned since Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974.

European Commission foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano has highlighted the importance of a resumption of exploratory talks between Athens and Ankara.

Ankara could be slapped with more European sanctions depending on the findings of an evaluation report on Turkey expected by March, a senior diplomatic official has told Kathimerini on condition of anonymity.