Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed Türkiye-EU relations and rising Middle East tensions during a phone call on Tuesday.
The two leaders also discussed mounting regional tensions, as instability across the Middle East continues to threaten shipping, energy routes and global supply chains.
According to Turkish officials, Erdogan told von der Leyen that Ankara was working to preserve a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the U.S.
He also said that the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy chokepoint, should be reopened as quickly as possible.
Accounting for roughly one-fifth of the global oil supply, the strait has remained a flashpoint for tensions since Israel and the U.S. launched a surprise attack on Iran in late February.
During Tuesday’s call, Erdogan also said that persistent regional tensions had once again demonstrated the strategic importance of Türkiye-EU relations.
Von der Leyen, for her part, agreed, noting that both sides wanted to keep shipping routes open to ensure energy flows and maintain global supply chains.
In subsequent remarks, von der Leyen described the exchange as “highly productive”, calling Türkiye “a key partner in a turbulent region”.
Located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Türkiye occupies a critical transit position, particularly for gas pipelines and overland cargo routes.
Tuesday’s phone call also touched on the sensitive issue of Cyprus.
Brussels has recently signalled its readiness to support U.N.-led efforts aimed at reviving long-stalled talks between Athens and Ankara regarding the divided island.
In his conversation with von der Leyen, Erdogan also urged Brussels to broaden the scope of the Türkiye-EU Customs Union, which is currently limited to industrial goods and processed agricultural products.
Ankara has long called for the resumption of talks aimed at updating the terms of the customs union, although concrete steps in this regard have yet to be taken.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that there is a good chance” of reaching a deal with Iran, but warned that Washington would resume milita...
Prime Minister Burnham and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited a Royal Navy base in Portsmouth, where they met British and Ukrainian troops taking p...
Russia's Supreme Court has prohibited the transfer of funds to Digimarket, a U.S.$35 million offshore company linked to Ruben Vardanyan, as legal proc...
Iran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States maintains its pause on strikes, but Tehran remains sceptical of U.S. intentions, a senior Iranian source told on Sunday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that there is a good chance” of reaching a deal with Iran, but warned that Washington would resume military operation if negotiations fail.
A New York school district has put plans to introduce a humanoid robot into classrooms on hold after fierce criticism from teachers, Indigenous community members and state education officials over the use of artificial intelligence in schools.
A known Islamist suspected of driving a minivan into a crowd near a major LGBTQ Pride gathering in Berlin was shot dead during a police operation at an allotment garden complex, broadcaster RBB reported on Sunday.
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on Saturday for Russia and Ukraine to freeze the conflict and return to peace talks, saying a negotiated settlement remained possible despite the entrenched positions of both sides.
Prime Minister Burnham and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited a Royal Navy base in Portsmouth, where they met British and Ukrainian troops taking part in Exercise Sea Breeze. The visit underscored Britain's commitment to supporting Ukraine as the war with Russia continues.
A known Islamist suspected of driving a minivan into a crowd near a major LGBTQ Pride gathering in Berlin was shot dead during a police operation at an allotment garden complex, broadcaster RBB reported on Sunday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed laws introducing stricter financial requirements for foreign workers, as Moscow continues to tighten migration controls affecting millions of labour migrants, particularly from Central Asia.
The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to 3,200, including 1,405 deaths, according to government data released on Sunday, highlighting the scale of an outbreak that continues to challenge health authorities and aid agencies.
The 27 July edition of Daybreak covers a pause in fighting between the U.S. and Iran, the latest developments in Russia's war against Ukraine, and mass evacuations as wildfires continue to spread across France and Spain.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment