(MENAFN) EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Wednesday emphasized Türkiye’s role as a vital partner for the European Union and a key player in regional affairs.

Speaking alongside Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos in the Greek Cypriot administration, Kallas underlined ongoing cooperative efforts between the EU and Türkiye in areas of mutual interest. “We have positive engagement with Türkiye in areas of common interest. Türkiye remains a key partner for the European Union and a significant regional actor,” she said.

Kallas noted, however, that Türkiye’s EU accession process has been “frozen” since 2018 due to concerns regarding democratic standards and judicial independence.

She also highlighted the Cyprus issue as a critical factor shaping Türkiye-EU relations, reaffirming the EU’s support for UN-led mediation efforts. “Of course, neither Türkiye nor the EU will govern the island of Cyprus in the future,” Kallas said. “The Greek and Turkish Cypriots must live together and find solutions to common challenges. Both communities need a sustainable solution.”

When asked about Türkiye’s potential role in Europe’s defense framework, Kallas acknowledged the growing defense investments and industrial development within EU member states. She added that when European defense production falls short, external procurement may be required, pointing to the European Security Action Programme (SAFE) as a mechanism to maintain defense readiness while supporting Ukraine.

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