Commissioner Šuica travels to Ankara to discuss EU-Türkiye role in strengthening relations in Mediterranean region

Commissioner Šuica travels to Ankara to discuss EU-Türkiye role in strengthening relations in Mediterranean region

Today, Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, was in Ankara to exchange on EU-Türkiye cooperation and issues of shared interests for the wider Mediterranean region. Commissioner Šuica met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, and Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi.

Today, Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, was in Ankara to exchange on EU-Türkiye cooperation and issues of shared interests for the wider Mediterranean region. Commissioner Šuica met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, and Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi.

The Commissioner addressed key issues of common interest like migration and security, and, potential triangular cooperation under the Pact for the Mediterranean in areas such as energy, connectivity and investment. Through triangular cooperation, the Pact has the potential to expand its scope beyond the southern Mediterranean, building on synergies with other EU initiatives.

More broadly on the situation in the region, Commissioner discussed ongoing support, recovery and reconstruction of Gaza as well as the peaceful and genuinely inclusive transition and socio-economic recovery of Syria.

Press remarks by the Commissioner:

• I am very pleased to be visiting Türkiye for the first time today.
• Türkiye is a key partner for the European Union - geographically, strategically, politically, and economically. Türkiye is an EU candidate country and a NATO ally. It also plays an important role in the wider Middle East region.
• Together, it is critical to ensure stability in a volatile region, and I see strong potential to deepen our cooperation further.
• The EU has a strategic interest in a stable and secure Southern neighbourhood and Middle East, as well as in developing a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Türkiye based on international law. This also includes nurturing good relations with all neighbours.
• Today, we discussed the situation in the region and tensions involving Iran.
• Our message is clear: de-escalation, long-term stability, and peace are our joint objectives.
• Civilians and critical infrastructure must be protected.
• We need a lasting and sustainable end to this crisis.
• This includes restoring full and permanent freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and addressing concerns related to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme.
• I commend Türkiye for its important role in promoting dialogue and supporting de-escalation efforts.
• We also discussed Syria. The EU has been a steadfast supporter of Syrians since 2011, and we will continue to stand by the Syrian people as they rebuild their country. We support a peaceful and a genuinely inclusive transition, ensuring the protection and representation of all Syrians regardless of their ethnic or religious background. Syria's swift socio-economic recovery, ensuring donors coordination and supporting investments are also key priorities. In just a few days, on 11 May, we will hold in Brussels the first EU-Syria High-Level Political Dialogue, alongside the Syria Partnership Cooperation Forum, where we will have the possibility to discuss all that.
• On Gaza, the EU values Türkiye's mediation efforts. Our shared goal is clear: a lasting and sustainable peace. We support international efforts towards this objective and stand ready to contribute to early recovery. The European Union remains a key partner of the Palestinian Authority. On 13 July, we will host the second Palestine Donor Group meeting in Brussels, and I count on Türkiye's continued engagement.
• On migration, Türkiye is a strategic and essential partner for the European Union. Our joint efforts to manage migration and fight smugglers have a positive impact.
• We are grateful for Türkiye's efforts in hosting millions of Syrian refugees. The EU has actively contributed to improving the lives of millions of refugees in Türkiye and we are committed to support safe, dignified and sustainable returns by stepping up our work in Syria. At the same time, we must continue working closely together, including on border management and in the fight against migrant smuggling.
• At the same time, we must look beyond the crises in the region and focus on the future.
• The Pact for the Mediterranean and the Action Plan we recently presented provide a platform for deeper cooperation.
• Türkiye can contribute to initiatives of common interest, across the three pillars of the Pact: people, economy, and security.
• In particular, we see opportunities in energy, connectivity, and investment.
• One example is the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech Initiative (the so-called T-MED) which supports investment in renewable energy across the region and is open to Turkish participation.
• This visit is another clear reminder that the European Union and Türkiye must work closely together. From Gaza to Syria to the future of the Mediterranean, our cooperation is essential. Türkiye's diplomatic engagement and economic potential make it a key strategic partner.