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EU-Turkey leaders’ meeting in Varna ends

Photo: EPA/BGNES

The EU-Turkey summit that was held in the Bulgarian Black Sea port city of Varna, has ended. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who hosted the meeting, said the talks were constructive. President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, pointed out that Turkey and the EU remained close partners on the topic of refugees, but the European Union continued to be concerned about some of Turkey's actions in the Aegean Sea and the retention of EU citizens.

The EU has also voiced concerns over some of Turkey's actions in Syria, Tusk pointed out. Turkey's President Recep Erdogan has expressed hope that the period of bad relations with the EU would remain in the past. Recalling that the EU has promised to support Turkey's efforts related to the refugee crisis with some 3 billion euro, Erdogan said that his country had received 1.8 billion so far, and that the rest of the financing would make it easier for Turkey to welcome Syrian refugees.

EC President Jean-Claude Juncker said that the EU-Turkey agreement on migrants was indeed very successful thanks to Turkey, which gave shelter to millions of Syrian refugees on its territory. Juncker made sure that there should be no doubts about receiving promised EU assistance. The EU shares with Turkey geo-strategic interests linked to security and energy supply, Juncker added.


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