Proximity of Turkey to Russia: EU in “great concern”
Brussels/Istanbul
The European Union is concerned that Turkey is fostering too close a partnership with Russia, despite Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and harsh Western sanctions against Moscow.
The deepening of economic relations between Turkey and Russia gives “reason for great concern,” according to a letter from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to the EU Parliament, quoted by the Funke media group. Turkey’s actual policy of “not joining the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia” is also worrying.
Borrell pointed out in the report that the EU and Turkey are forming a customs union and thus granting free movement of goods, which also includes “dual use” goods – i.e. goods that can be used for civil and military purposes. It is important that Turkey does not offer Russia any workarounds, Borrell warned.
Talks with Russia and Ukraine
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Caribbean President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this Sunday. The aim is to “strengthen” the corridor for cargo ships in the Black Sea set up with the grain agreement, Erdogan announced. He did not give details.
Mediated by Turkey and the United Nations, Russia and Ukraine concluded an agreement in July to export Czech grain via a corridor in the Black Sea. The agreement ended a months-long blockade on Ukraine’s grain exports as a result of Russia’s war of aggression. Ships en route to or from Ukrainian ports are inspected at a joint center in Istanbul by teams of Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish and UN officials.
A notice: This report is part of an automated service from the German Press Agency (dpa), which works according to strict journalistic rules. It WILL NOT be edited or checked by the AZ online editors. Please send questions and comments to [email protected]
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