Turkey's Minister for European Union Affairs, Ömer Çelik, paid an official visit to Estonia

19.10.2017

Foreign Minister Sven Mikser met Turkey’s Minster for European Union Affairs Ömer Çelik. Mikser reaffirmed good Estonia-Turkey relations and Estonia’s desire to contribute to continuing dialogue between the EU and Turkey.

The ministers discussed currently salient topics: the migration crisis, the Turkish candidature for EU membership, and the situation with human rights and freedom of speech in Turkey. Mikser said the deterioration in the field of human rights and freedom of the media and speech in Turkey is raising many questions and that Turkey as a candidate state is expected to take rapid positive steps in this regard. “It is in the interests of both Estonia and the EU to maintain and develop dialogue with Turkey,” said Mikser.

Estonia continues to be among the Member States in support of EU enlargement but it should be considered that there is currently a lack of consensus in the EU regarding continuing accession talks with Turkey.