The meeting held today by the Turkish Foreign Minister, , and the Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, took place in an atmosphere of restart, with Cyprus, the Customs Union and the facilitation of Schengen visas being at the center of the discussion, as reflected in the joint written statement issued after the end of the talks.
Cyprus and confidence building initiatives
Commissioner Kos welcomed Turkey’s participation in the ongoing informal process under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General on the Cyprus issue, stressing the importance of continuing confidence-building initiatives.
Confirmation of candidacy
The joint statement states that “Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and European Commission Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos met in Ankara on February 6, 2026, reaffirmed Turkey’s status as a candidate country and emphasized the strategic value of Turkey-EU relations to strengthen regional stability and economic resilience in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.”
Progress in dialogue and tangible steps of cooperation
The two sides expressed satisfaction with the recent mutual engagement in areas of common interest.
“During the past year, progress has been made through holding five high-level dialogue meetings, continuing the European Union’s support for Turkey’s efforts to host refugees under temporary protection, and facilitating Turkish citizens’ access to multiple-entry Schengen visas.”
The Turkish Foreign Minister underlined the need to overcome the difficulties in Ankara-Brussels relations.
Security and regional stability
The two sides agreed that strengthening cooperation in areas such as security and connectivity is of strategic importance, underscoring Turkey’s role as a central geopolitical player in the Black Sea, South Caucasus and Central Asia.
As stated in the written statement, “Fidan underlined the need to overcome obstacles in relations. The parties stressed that recent developments at the global and regional level further highlight the strategic importance of Turkey-EU relations.”
Customs Union Update
Hakan Fidan made the revision of the Customs Union a priority.
“The parties reaffirmed the importance of economic integration between Turkey and the European Union. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan underlined the increasingly urgent need to update the Customs Union, in light of changing dynamics in global trade, growing geopolitical and economic uncertainties, expanding bilateral and regional trade agreements, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the green and digital transition.
The two sides agreed to maintain their commitment to improving the implementation of the Customs Union. In this context, they expressed their intention to work together to create the necessary conditions in view of its updating and full utilization of its potential, with the aim of strengthening competitiveness, economic security and sustainability”.
Schengen visas and European Investment Bank
Special mention was made of visa facilitation and financial cooperation.
“The intention was expressed to further strengthen cooperation with the European Investment Bank to support innovative and sustainable projects in Turkey and neighboring regions.”
“Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the approval of the Commission’s decision facilitating the granting of multi-year Schengen visas to Turkish citizens. The sides reiterated the importance of further strengthening dialogue on visa waiver and cooperation in the fields of security and migration, through the high-level dialogue mechanism established on these issues.”
European solidarity for the earthquake victims
Marta Kos reiterated the importance of preventing the circumvention of EU sanctions, while commemorating the victims of the 2023 earthquakes, reaffirming the EU’s solidarity with Turkey, with EUR 1 billion in emergency aid and reconstruction support.
The Turkish Foreign Minister stressed, for his part, that Turkey-EU solidarity is crucial for the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent.
