Turkey Determined to Restart EU Accession Talks
Turkey is seriously committed to reviving its accession talks with the European Union, aiming to attract more investments to support its economic development. According to Bloomberg, this intention was voiced by Mehmet Şimşek, the Minister of Finance of Turkey, during an economic summit held in Salzburg, Austria, on Thursday.
The Turkish Minister of Finance emphasized the importance of obtaining permission to continue on a path that holds great significance for changes in wholesale trade. As an example of relevant steps taken by the European Union, he mentioned the simplification of import procedures for certain Turkish agricultural goods and services, which contributes to this goal.
"The ultimate goal of whether Turkey should become an EU member or not is subject to much debate. In my opinion, that's not what matters," stated Mehmet Şimşek.
He explained that Turkey has faced challenges over the past decades, with its path being complicated by internal and regional issues, traumas, and challenges, which might have led it astray. However, he asserted that Ankara is ready to implement economic and political reforms.
In other news, during the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Turkey agreed to unblock the ratification process of Sweden's accession to the Alliance in exchange for assistance in closer relations with the European Union.
Turkey has been engaged in negotiation for EU accession for over half a century, starting in 1964. Official accession talks began in 2005 but effectively stalled in 2016. Nonetheless, Turkey remains a crucial partner to the European Union in matters of economy, security, and migration.
Additionally, the Republic of Cyprus has expressed readiness to appoint a special representative to renew negotiations with Turkey and resolve issues concerning the divided island. One of the key incentives for achieving this goal is the prospect of Turkey's accession to the European Union, as reported by Euractiv. Cyprus believes that the EU can offer Turkey new incentives that were not realized in the past due to various reasons. The appointment of a special representative aims to conduct negotiations with Ankara, highlighting the benefits that Turkey would gain from Cyprus' reunification.