The Turkish President has declared that his country's entry into the European Union is the only solution to the uncertainty created by the United Kingdom's exit

Erdogan expresses his intention to improve the relationship with the European Union

photo_camera PHOTO/AP - The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan

The relationship between the European Union and Turkey continues to show its ups and downs. It is a complicated alliance which has become tense to an extent that was not expected, particularly as a result of hydrocarbon exploration in the eastern Mediterranean. But despite the many frictions that may exist between the two powers, both the EU and the Eurasian country are aware that they are needed in one form or another.

The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has stated his intention to "put his relationship with the European Union back on track". "We are ready to put our relations back on track", Erdogan said during a speech to the ambassadors of EU countries in Ankara. "We hope that our European friends will show the same willingness."

Erdogan has not made it easy for the European Union, its expansionist ambitions have only increased the differences with the member states. Moreover, the confrontations with Greece have led to a complete breakdown within the EU.

In fact, Brussels has prepared a list of sanctions against Turkey for its exploration of gas reserves in waters claimed by Greece and Cyprus. Finally, the implementation of these punitive measures has been postponed to March.

Turkey and Greece have agreed to address their long-standing maritime border dispute at exploratory talks in Istanbul on 25 January. The meeting will be the first since the so-called "exploratory talks" between the two NATO neighbours were suspended in 2016 after 60 unsuccessful rounds.

The Turkish president also said he was open to improving relations with Paris after months of personal enmity with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Atalayar_Buque de perforación turco

Turkey wants to return to the fold of the European Union after a period of continuous clashes with several member states. But the mistrust the country has created is difficult to ignore; indeed, Greece has increased its defence budget in order to modernise and improve its armed forces as a result of the escalation of tension between the two countries.

Brexit effect

Erdogan, without missing an opportunity, also mentioned the Brexit, which was due to take effect on 1 January. The Turkish president said that his country's entry into the European Union was the only solution to the uncertainty created by the United Kingdom's exit. "We believe it would be beneficial to initiate regular high-level meetings between Turkey and the EU," he added.

The Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Çavusoglu, said during his visit to Spain last week that Ankara is ready to strengthen relations with the EU and that "Turkey needs the EU, but the EU needs Turkey more".

This month will be decisive for Turkey's foreign policy towards the European Union. On 21 January Çavusoglu will meet in Brussels with the High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, "for a sincere and result-oriented dialogue".

Less than a week after this meeting, the start of the maritime border talks with Greece will take place. These are decisive weeks for the relationship between the European Union and Turkey, where the course of action will be set and the limits of this relationship will be tested again.

The Eurasian country will have the opportunity, during this month, to demonstrate whether its intention to put the relationship with the EU back on track is real or just a mirage.

More in Politics