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.
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Azerbaijan and Georgia have agreed to resume daily passenger train services on the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku route from 26 May, 2026, marking a major step in restoring regional rail connectivity after services were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Day four of the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Baku brings a packed agenda on sustainable cities and the global housing crisis, with sessions on green housing, smart cities, public spaces and urban rights taking place on Wednesday (20 May) at Baku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan.
Pakistan has deployed around 8,000 troops, fighter jets and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence agreement, according to security officials and government sources familiar with the arrangement.
Lithuania on Wednesday issued an “air danger” warning urging residents to seek shelter and temporarily suspended operations at the capital’s airport amid fears that drones had entered the country’s airspace, as tensions between Russia and the Baltic states continue to escalate.
The red carpet had barely been rolled up after Donald Trump’s departure before Beijing was laying it out again. Vladimir Putin arrived in the Chinese capital on Wednesday for talks with Xi Jinping, just days after Trump’s own high-profile visit.
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The European Union has moved closer to implementing tariff cuts under last year’s U.S. trade agreement after negotiators agreed on a provisional legislative text.
Britain’s unemployment rate has risen to 5% as the government urges supermarkets to cap prices on essentials including bread, eggs and milk amid mounting pressure over the cost-of-living crisis.
Lithuania on Wednesday issued an “air danger” warning urging residents to seek shelter and temporarily suspended operations at the capital’s airport amid fears that drones had entered the country’s airspace, as tensions between Russia and the Baltic states continue to escalate.
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