What is EU planning for its Turkey policy?
April 1, 2021The European Union leaders summit resulted in minor positive steps and a three-month extension.
The European Union leaders summit resulted in minor positive steps and a three-month extension. The description of steps for rapprochement as “gradual, proportional and reversible” was a textbook carrot-and-stick routine. Europe’s method of communication, too, was quite familiar.
Ahead of the summit, European officials “leaked” the possibility of sanctions to the media. That was the stick. They proceeded to recall the de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean and talked about updating the customs union and renegotiating the refugee deal – the proverbial carrot.
Needless to say, they voiced the obligatory criticism regarding democracy and human rights.