EU Officials and Turkey Discuss Security and Trade in Ankara

European Union commissioners Kaja Kallas, Magnus Brunner, and Marta Kos held a series of high-level meetings in Ankara on June 30 and July 1, 2026, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The talks, described as a jumbo meeting, focused on deepening cooperation across security, energy, and trade, specifically regarding the modernization of the EU-Türkiye Customs Union and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

Turkish officials reaffirmed that EU membership remains a strategic priority and urged the bloc to advance relations based on merit. Discussions also covered Türkiye's potential participation in the Single Euro Payments Area and the progress of the Visa Liberalization Dialogue. Both parties committed to supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity and coordinating diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and the South Caucasus.

Despite the push for rapprochement, the EU emphasized that Türkiye must meet democratic and human rights standards to progress in the accession process. Tensions persisted following previous comments by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who had compared Türkiye to Russia and China. The visit took place one week before a scheduled NATO summit in Ankara, with both sides agreeing to reconvene before the end of the year.