Turkey's Erdogan asks EU to relaunch membership negotiations

Negotiations for Turkey's accession to the EU stalled over tension between bloc and Ankara

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. AFP

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday asked the EU to relaunch talks for Turkey to eventually become a member of the bloc, on the eve of a summit focused on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine has allowed Ankara to return to the international stage by offering its services as a mediator.

"We expect the EU to open quickly the chapters of the membership negotiations and to start negotiations on a customs union without yielding to cynical calculations," Mr Erdogan said after talks with visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Negotiations for Turkey's accession one day to the 27-nation EU, which began in 2005, have stalled in recent years over tension between the two sides.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, welcomes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed and Mr Erdogan pictured at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed, Mr Erdogan, and an official, tour Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Dubai Media Office

The Turkish president is in the UAE on his first official visit to the Emirates in almost a decade. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, hosts an official reception for Mr Erdogan at Qasr Al Watan. All photos: Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, left, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attend the reception for the official visit of Mr Erdogan.

President Erdogan attends the reception at the palace in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Mohamed meets Mr Erdogan at Qasr Al Watan. With them is Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, UAE National Security Adviser, right

Sheikh Mohamed hosts the official reception to welcome Mr Erdogan to the Emirates.

Sheikh Mohamed receives Mr Erdogan on his arrival at the Presidential Airport.

Sheikh Mohamed and the Turkish president stand for their countries' national anthems during the official reception in Abu Dhabi.

President Erdogan signs the guest book at Qasr Al Watan as Sheikh Mohamed looks on.

Members of the UAE Armed Forces Cavalry Division take part in the welcoming ceremony.

Sheikh Mohamed greets President Erdogan at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi.

Traditional dancers welcome the Turkish president on his first visit to the Emirates in nine years.

Al Forsan aerobatic team mark the visit with a colourful flypast.

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan are greeted by a military guard of honour.

Sheikh Mohamed and the Turkish president stand for their countries' national anthems.

Mounted cavalry riders escort the motorcade of the Turkish president.

Traditional dancers perform during the official reception at Qasr Al Watan.

In March 2016, the EU and Turkey agreed to a deal worth billions of euros, in which Turkey would take back migrants in exchange for visa liberalisation, which has yet to be introduced for Turks.

EU heads of state and government are set to meet Wednesday in Brussels for a summit aimed at dealing with the fall-out of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Nato will also hold a crisis summit on Ukraine on Thursday.

Mr Erdogan has hosted talks in the past week and a half with four EU leaders and Nato.

An ally of Kyiv and Nato member, Turkey has been trying since the start of the Ukraine crisis to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, while declining to join western sanctions against Russia.