Addressing the media following the Cabinet meeting held yesterday at Çankaya Palace, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş said that Turkey aims to enhance relations with the European Union (EU) in the scope of full membership. "Turkey wants the negotiation process to continue by opening new chapters," he said. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told media members on his way back from the NATO Summit in Brussels last week that the EU had presented him with a 12-month calendar while he also informed that EU officials were also conducting work on Turkey. Commenting on a possible date for the first meeting between Turkey and the EU, diplomatic sources told Daily Sabah that June 13 was suggested by the EU officials but had not yet been finalized. Sources further noted that the anticipated meeting is to be held initially at a technical level.

Responding to a question regarding Turkey's new road map and agenda in relations with the EU, Deputy Prime Minister Kurtulmuş said "as President Erdoğan affirmed during his visit [to Brussels], Turkey's fundamental goal is to enhance relations with the EU in the framework of full EU membership negotiations. In that regard, though Turkey and the EU could discuss these matters [possible calendar and agenda] the actual matter is the opening of new chapters. Turkey, regarding the matter, cannot aspire to facing double standards [from the EU]." Kurtulmuş also said that topics regarding Turkey's EU relations were addressed by President Erdoğan at the NATO Summit in Brussels, saying "following the discussions, a calendar was established. However our foreign minister and the EU ministry are going to work on the matter.

"It does seem that a calendar has been established. However, this will be addressed by our Foreign Ministry and EU Ministry bilaterally and the Turkish side will determine the matters of priority in an effort to enhance relations," he added. Kurtulmuş further reminded the media that Turkey did not lose its full EU membership perspective while conducting other business. He strongly emphasized the necessity of opening new chapters in his remarks, as Kurtulmuş described the matter as "vitally important."

In his remarks made on the way back from Brussels, President Erdoğan described the meetings with EU officials as "encouraging," while stating that both sides agreed on the need to bolster ties and seek further avenues of cooperation. "[European Council President Donald] Tusk and [European Commission President Jean-Claude] Juncker, both reiterated the need to turn a fresh page in ties. They had carried out preparations before the meeting and presented us with a 12-month road map outlining what they intend to do, which our Foreign and EU Ministries will study. Not only the lifting of visa restrictions, but also on aid that will be channeled to refugees sheltering in Turkey," he affirmed. European Commission (EC) spokesperson Margaritis Schinas said yesterday that last week's meetings between President Erdoğan and EU officials took place in a "positive and constructive atmosphere." Speaking at a daily press conference at the EC headquarters in Brussels, Schinas said that common interests between the partners were discussed, adding that the EU and Turkey would continue to cooperate. Schinas also emphasized that Turkey-EU relations had entered "a new period," during which the two sides agreed to take joint action to preserve common interests.