EU leadership to discuss Cyprus issue and bilateral ties with President Erdogan

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are scheduled to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday. The visit follows Costa's attendance at the NATO summit dinner on Tuesday. The primary focus of the talks is the advancement of bilateral relations between the European Union and Turkey. Discussions will specifically cover regional developments, including ongoing diplomatic efforts led by the UN Secretary-General to resolve the Cyprus issue. The leaders intend to review progress on the implementation of the November 2023 joint statement regarding political, economic, and trade cooperation. Both parties acknowledge their status as strategic partners rooted in the 1963 Ankara Agreement. The meetings aim to strengthen dialogue and cooperation based on mutual interests within the current geopolitical context.