Turkey can fill Brexit gap in EU: Diplomat

KOCAELI, Turkey

The gap created by Brexit in the European Union can be filled by Turkey, a senior Turkish diplomat said Wednesday.

Faruk Kaymakci, Turkey's deputy foreign minister and director for EU Affairs, said Brexit has impacted Turkey's accession process negatively as the UK was supporting Ankara's membership.

Kaymakci, addressing an online event, said Turkey's accession to the EU is an important talking-point, but it does not seem negotiations will advance in the near future.

On updating the customs union agreement and visa exemption for Turkish citizens, he said the current status is unfair.

He went on to say fault lines began appearing in Turkey-EU relations on the issues of foreign policy and terrorism, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean, Syria and Libya.

Moreover, he said, Greece's aggression toward Turkey further complicates these delicate relations.

* Writing by Fahri Aksut

KOCAELI, Turkey

The gap created by Brexit in the European Union can be filled by Turkey, a senior Turkish diplomat said Wednesday.

Faruk Kaymakci, Turkey's deputy foreign minister and director for EU Affairs, said Brexit has impacted Turkey's accession process negatively as the UK was supporting Ankara's membership.

Kaymakci, addressing an online event, said Turkey's accession to the EU is an important talking-point, but it does not seem negotiations will advance in the near future.

On updating the customs union agreement and visa exemption for Turkish citizens, he said the current status is unfair.

He went on to say fault lines began appearing in Turkey-EU relations on the issues of foreign policy and terrorism, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean, Syria and Libya.

Moreover, he said, Greece's aggression toward Turkey further complicates these delicate relations.

* Writing by Fahri Aksut