“The European Union should approach its relations with Turkey from a strategic perspective”

Speaking at a joint press conference with President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, President Erdoğan said: "We as Turkey have displayed our principled attitude and efforts in favor of dialogue and diplomacy with the aim of implementing the positive agenda. Henceforth, the European Union should approach its relations with our country from a strategic perspective, and take concrete steps."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Pedro Sánchez of the Government of Spain held a joint press conference following their bilateral meeting and the 7th Turkey-Spain Intergovernmental Summit at the Presidential Complex.

Noting that the Intergovernmental Summit meetings, held since 2009, was the highest platform for discussing the bilateral relations between Turkey and Spain, President Erdoğan said: "During today's summit, we have decided to define our relations as 'comprehensive partnership' in the period ahead. Also, by forming a 'Summit Follow-up Mechanism,' we have begun to closely monitor the implementation of the matters we have decided on, and established a framework to plan the new steps we will take."

President Erdoğan also stated that the bilateral trade volume between Turkey and Spain had already reached the numbers of the previous year despite the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"TURKEY AND SPAIN SHOULDER MAJOR BURDEN REGARDING IRREGULAR MIGRATION"

Noting that he and President Sánchez also discussed the Turkey-EU relations during their meeting, President Erdoğan said: "I thanked him for Spain's support so far to enhancing Turkey-EU relations. We as Turkey have displayed our principled attitude and efforts in favor of dialogue and diplomacy with the aim of implementing the positive agenda. Henceforth, the European Union should approach its relations with our country from a strategic perspective, and take concrete steps. Works to update the Customs Union and to grant visa liberalization to our citizens should commence as soon as possible. Petty plans of some member countries should not be allowed to undermine the European Union and NATO-EU relations. Turkey and Spain, which guard the borders of NATO and Europe, shoulder major burden regarding irregular migration. I would like to take this occasion to once again underscore the necessity of producing joint policies for fair burden-sharing. I believe it will be beneficial for all parties that Spain continue its precious support."