Turkish FM to attend EU meeting in Brussels for the first time in five years

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to participate in an informal meeting with his European Union (EU) counterparts in Brussels on Thursday, marking the first such invitation extended to a Turkish foreign minister in five years. 

The meeting is seen as a potential step towards revitalizing the strained relations between Turkey and the EU, according to a Turkish diplomatic source.

"We consider the EU's invitation as a gesture of dialogue in response to our calls to renew relations with Turkey," the source stated, expressing hope that Thursday's meeting could lead to the "opening of institutional channels of dialogue." 

During his visit, Fidan is expected to meet with senior EU officials, including the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell and the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi.

Turkey, which remains an official candidate for EU membership, submitted its application to the European Economic Community in 1987 and later to the EU in 1999. However, accession negotiations that began in 2005 have been stalled for several years.

Relations between Turkey and the EU significantly deteriorated following the failed coup attempt in Turkey in July 2016 and the subsequent widespread purges of opposition figures and journalists. Brussels has repeatedly called on Ankara to make progress on democratic reforms. 

The EU has also been critical of Turkey's stance on the divided island of Cyprus, where Ankara established the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in 1983, a state recognized only by Turkey. 

The EU has urged Ankara to allow new UN-sponsored talks on the Cyprus issue, a proposal Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected in mid-July, insisting instead on international recognition of a two-state solution.

"The clear stance of Turkey on the Cyprus issue will be reiterated to the EU," the diplomatic source noted, adding that Minister Fidan is also expected to meet with his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, on the sidelines of the meeting. "It would be in the interest of both parties to improve relations in the face of regional and global challenges," the source added.

Discussions between Fidan and his European counterparts are also expected to cover topics such as the modernization of the customs union and the easing of visa regulations for Turkish citizens. 

This meeting could potentially serve as a starting point for renewed engagement between Turkey and the EU amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.