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European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)
News article22 August 2016Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations

Senior EU officials on three day visit to Turkey

A senior officials' delegation from the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) arrived today in Ankara for a three-day visit which is due to last until 24 August. Christian Danielsson, Director-General for Neighbourhood...

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A senior officials' delegation from the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) arrived today in Ankara for a three-day visit which is due to last until 24 August. Christian Danielsson, Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations at the European Commission, and Thomas Mayr-Harting, Managing Director for Europe & Central Asia at the European External Action Service, will hold discussions with the Turkish authorities on EU-Turkey relations. They will be accompanied by Simon Mordue, Director for Strategy and Turkey at the European Commission and Angelina Eichhorst, Director for Western Europe, Western Balkans and Turkey at the European External Action Service.

During the visit, a series of meetings will take place with senior representatives of the four political parties represented in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the office of the President of the Republic of Turkey, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, EU Affairs and Justice. In addition, discussions will be held with civil society representatives.

The visit follows a number of close contacts the EU had at different levels with Turkish counterparts since the attempted coup of 15 July. Presidents Tusk and Juncker, the High-Representative/Vice-President Mogherini and Commissioner Hahn were among the very first international actors to condemn the coup and express their full support to the democratic institutions of the country. In their Council conclusions adopted on 18 July, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 28 Members States also strongly condemned the coup attempt, stressed the importance of the rule of law prevailing, and expressed solidarity with the Turkish people.

Turkey is a candidate country and a key partner for the European Union. The EU is committed to working together with a democratic, open and inclusive Turkey to address our common challenges.

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