The EU is concerned about Turkey-Russia economic relations

The EU is concerned regarding further development of economic relations between Turkey and Russia

The European Union believes that Turkey should change its trade policy towards Russia and join the Western sanctions. This was stated by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, in a letter to the European Parliament, excerpts from which were published by the German Funke Mediengruppe on December 11.

“Turkey, which continues its policy of not joining the restrictive measures of the European Union against Russia, is causing more and more concern,” it says.

“There is a customs union between the European Union and Turkey. It guarantees the free movement of goods, in particular dual-purpose goods that can be used for military purposes. It is important that Turkey does not offer Russia options to circumvent sanctions”, says Borrell’s letter.

The head of European diplomacy reminded that Turkey is a candidate country for joining the EU. “All states that have applied to join the union are expected to comply with the measures taken by the EU”, he emphasised.

According to Borrell, the European Union is concerned that Turkey maintains too close partnership relations with Russia, despite the war unleashed by Moscow against Ukraine and the harsh Western sanctions against the Russian Federation.