Turkey, a NATO country with the second largest army, which controls the passage to the Black Sea, can potentially play an important role in the security of Ukraine after the end of the war. Therefore, Brussels decided to start establishing relations with Ankara, which have noticeably deteriorated, in particular, due to the authoritarian rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey can be an important participant in the post-war settlement, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos explained to Politico on the eve of her visit to the country.
"Peace in Ukraine will change the reality in Europe, especially in the Black Sea region. Turkey will be a very important partner for us," she said. "Preparing to ensure peace and stability in Europe involves establishing strong partnerships with Turkey."
Last fall, Turkish media reported that the country's authorities were ready to join the European Coalition of the Willing and send their peacekeepers to Ukraine after the cessation of hostilities.
"The Turkish armed forces are ready to contribute to any initiative aimed at ensuring security and stability in our region," government sources told Daily Sabah.
Turkey has the most powerful armed forces in the Middle East, numbering over 880,000. It ranks second in NATO after the United States and has an important strategic position in the Black Sea region.
In 2022, Turkey played an important role in concluding an agreement on the "grain deal", which allowed Ukraine to resume agricultural exports through the Black Sea. Later, together with other NATO countries in the region, it participated in a sea mine clearance mission.
As part of its gradual rapprochement with Turkey, the EU also intends to develop economic ties. During the visit, Kos will attend a signing ceremony for a EUR 200 million loan from the European Investment Bank for renewable energy projects. The bank stopped lending to Turkey in 2019. The European Commission also plans to present a study on the development of interregional transport links involving Turkey, Central European countries and the South Caucasus.
The report, seen by Politico, outlines the investments needed to strengthen transport, trade, energy and digital connectivity along the Trans-Caspian Corridor, which connects China, Central Asia, the South Caucasus and the Black Sea.
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