European Union leaders are ready to boost cooperation with Turkey if a "current de-escalation is sustained", they said in a video summit on Thursday, March 25 following a spike in tensions, AFP reports (via France 24).
The bloc is looking to plot a way forward after ties with its strategic southeastern neighbor nosedived last year over Ankara's gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean.
"Today, we have a clear framework and we hope, we really hope, it will be possible to improve the relationship with Turkey," said European Council president Charles Michel.
"But we remain cautious and remain careful."
The summit conclusions said the EU was ready "to engage with Turkey in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner to enhance cooperation in a number of areas of common interest" and leaders could take further decisions in June.
But that was only if "the current de-escalation is sustained and… Turkey engages constructively".
