In the course of two hours the EU–Turkey summit gave its response to two-month-long expectations, allegations and reserves. There had been allegations that the summit might not be held due to the previous harsh discrepancies, but those turned out to be wrong. The only goal set by the summit’s organizer, Bulgarian Premier Boyko Borissov – to provide an ongoing EU–Turkey readmission treaty in regard to migration was achieved. Chair of the European Council Donald Tusk admitted that the EU and Turkey didn’t reach any decisions and compromises in Varna, but the statements of the participants made it clear that the dialogue would continue despite the differences. Yes, it will, but within a tough and controversial situation.

Per his leave to Varna President Erdogan stated in Istanbul that Turkey was interested in continuing negotiations for EU membership. After the meeting President of the EC Jean-Claude Juncker responded that his stance was firmly against the ceasing of the negotiations and said he would guarantee their continuing. This statement comes to reveal internal discrepancies within the EU on the matter, judging by the recent position of Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, expressed in Sofia: at the moment Turkey doesn’t meet the criteria for any negotiations with the EU.

At the same time President Erdogan formulated several Turkish claims that were hard to be satisfied. From this moment on Ankara will expect the liberalization of the visa regime towards the EU for Turkish citizens, in order for the relations to develop in a favorable manner. Besides that the Turkish party will expect the EU not only to stop criticizing its actions against some terrorist organizations outside its own borders, but also to support those strongly. The last claim is very tough to accept within the EU, given its ongoing critical attitude towards Turkey’s actions in Syria. The EU requirements to Turkey in regard to respect for human rights, also the improvement of the relations with Greece and Cyprus and the release of the recently arrested two Greek soldiers remain in force.

Despite the complexity and diametrical discrepancies between the EU and Turkey on certain subjects of their relations’ agenda, the dialogue might be expected to become more constructive from now on. One of the prerequisites for that is the explicit recognition by the European leaders that Turkey fulfills its agreement with the EU for migration and thanks to its efforts currently Western Europe feels basically no migration pressure. As far as the vitriolic reproaches of Turkey were concerned on the EU not complying with its financial engagements under this agreement, President of the EC Jean-Claude Juncker stated firmly that there should be no doubt about the disbursement of the rest of the sum, amounting to some EUR 1.2 bln.

PM Boyko Borissov in particular has seen a positive home policy effect in the EU – Turkey summit. The premier used the forum to raise before the Turkish party some issues, as requested by the opposition – such as the one for the compensations on the real estate properties, belonging to the refugees from Eastern Thrace. In response the Turkish president claimed the issues with the real estates of the mufti in Bulgaria, the Revival Process, the pensions of expatriates from Bulgaria to Turkey and water management in border regions. It is obvious that these matters also suggest tough and continuous dialogue. Bulgarian PM Boyko Borissov expects the holding of a bilateral meeting with the Turkish party by mid-2018, tackling those issues exclusively.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev