European Union (EU) ready on concrete agenda with Turkey

ANKARA: Top officials of the European Union (EU) expressed readiness to work on a concrete agenda with Turkey to push forward economy and migration cooperation between the two sides.

The remarks came after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel met with Turkish President RecepTayyipErdogan in Ankara on Tuesday, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The EU is ready to present a concrete agenda to strengthen cooperation on economy and migration, and inter-societal ties," Michel said at a press conference.

"The rule of law and respect for fundamental rights are core values of the EU, and we shared with President Erdogan our deep worries on the latest developments of Turkey in this respect," he added.

The EU expects Turkey to respect the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which has ruled for the release of jailed businessman Osman Kavala and former co-chair of pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) SelahattinDemirtas, von der Leyen said.

She further elaborated the areas where Ankara and Brussels can improve ties. Noting the EU is Turkey's most important import and export partner, von der Leyen said they would focus on removing difficulties in Customs Union deal in a bid to increase bilateral trade and upgrade the agreement.

Secondly, climate change and public health will also be important topics in high-level dialogue, and thirdly, the EU wants to support Erasmus programs with Turkey for more mobility among people, she added. (IANS)

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