The deepening of economic relations between Turkey and Russia is “causing great concern,” according to a letter from EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell to the EU parliament, quoted by the Funke media group (Sunday). Turkey’s continued policy of “not participating in the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia” is also worrying.
According to the report, Borrell pointed out that the EU and Turkey form a customs union, granting free movement of goods, which includes “dual use” goods, ie goods that can be used for civilian and military purposes. It is important that Turkey does not offer solutions to Russia, Borrell warned.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky on Sunday. The aim is to “strengthen” the Black Sea freighter corridor established with the grain deal, Erdogan announced. He gave no details.
Brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement in July to export Ukrainian grain through a corridor in the Black Sea.
The deal ended a months-long blockade of Ukraine’s grain exports due to Russia’s war of aggression. The ships en route to or from Ukrainian ports are checked in a joint center in Istanbul by teams consisting of representatives from Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the UN.
(SDA)