President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a video conference in trilateral format with President of the European Council Charles Michel and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Turkey-EU relations were discussed comprehensively in the trilateral summit. In the summit where the developments in the East Mediterranean were elaborated, it was stated that Turkey and Greece were ready to start exploratory talks.
Indicating that the relative momentum achieved should be protected with mutual steps in order to reduce the tension and operate the dialogue channels in the Eastern Mediterranean, President Erdoğan said that Turkey always emphasized dialogue and negotiations, and did not waive of its foresighted and serene stance despite all the provocations.
Expressing his appreciation for Germany's mediation efforts, President Erdoğan stated that the steps to be taken by Greece would be important in terms of reviving exploratory talks and other dialogue channels, and the course of the agreement reached.
President Erdoğan said that he believed that a regional conference to be held with the participation of all parties in the Eastern Mediterranean, including the Turkish Cypriots, would make positive and constructive decisions from which each party can benefit.
Expressing his hope for the EU Leaders Summit to bring a fresh breath of air in Turkey-EU relations, President Erdoğan noted that he was confident that Turkey-EU relations would again be brought under a positive climate in the event that well-intended concrete steps would be taken concerning the Customs Union, the visa liberation, and the understanding on migration.
Opining that an EU-initiated healthy improvement in relations with Turkey would significantly contribute to the resolution of regional issues, President Erdoğan expressed his satisfaction with Merkel and Michel's efforts to create a positive agenda for Turkey-EU relations.
Also in attendance of the trilateral summit President Erdoğan held with Michel and Merkel were Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, Chief of Turkish National Intelligence Organization Hakan Fidan, Head of Presidency's Administrative Affairs Metin Kıratlı, Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun, Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın, and Chief of Cabinet of the Presidency Hasan Doğan.