German Foreign Minister Analena Burbock said that as the European Union (EU), they want to work with a key partner like Turkey in geopolitical goals and difficult times.
Burbok's statements before the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels, which the Turkish media were happy to broadcast, were as follows: "It is clear that urgent reforms are needed, but in these geopolitical and difficult times it is also clear that we want to work with a key partner in our region like Turkey, although it is not always easy."
Recalling that they put relations with Turkey on the agenda at the EU meeting at her country's initiative, Burbok pointed to the importance of reviewing how to continue cooperation with Turkey, which she called "a global, strategically important player and their immediate neighbor" and said:
"These are not only questions about our immediate neighbors but also about Russia's war in Ukraine and the climate crisis."
Noting that there are very clear rules regarding the EU accession process, Burbok said it is extremely important for Turkey and EU countries to be in dialogue with each other and consider how they can work together more closely in these difficult times.
Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Jean Asselborn also referred to Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement.
Noting that Turkey has made efforts and helped to reach the agreement on the grain corridor, Asselborn said:
"Now we have to focus on Turkey, which I believe is the only country that has influence with Russian President Vladimir Putin to get this grain deal that affects the whole world."
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley expressed optimism that Turkey will be able to bring Russia back to the table, which has terminated the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement.
Cleverly, in his assessment to the Anatolian news agency, regarding Moscow's withdrawal from the grain agreement, said:
"I really hope that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will play an important role in understanding the importance of the Black Sea Grain Agreement, which helps save people from hunger and lower international grain prices."
He pointed out that Erdogan did an incredibly important job for many people around the world with the United Nations (UN) to conclude the grain agreement.
Cleverly, who accuses Russia of "using world hunger for its own political interests", said:
"The ball is very much in Russia's hands and we call on it to join this grain initiative."
Responding to a report in the British press that the UK wants to sign a deal with Turkey to control the flow of migrants and asylum seekers, Cleverley said:
"I discussed this issue with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with President Erdogan. We will continue our discussions to address this issue, which is a common problem."
Expressing that they are aware of the fact that Turkey hosts a large number of migrants and that it behaves very "generously" in this regard, Cleverley said:
"This is a common problem faced by many countries. Because of the international nature of this problem, no country can solve this problem alone."
Everything shows that there will be important developments in the near future both for our region and especially for the wider region with Turkey as a key component and the role of Germany and Britain should at least...problem Athens.
