BRUSSELS – European Union leaders are set Thursday to provide new incentives to Turkey to improve cooperation on migration and trade despite democratic backsliding in the country and lingering concern about its energy exploration ambitions in the Mediterranean Sea.
EU diplomats said before the videoconference summit that the leaders will offer Turkey a “positive agenda” rather than brandish threats or sanctions.
The aim is take advantage of a lull in tensions between Greece, Cyprus and Turkey and to avoid any hostile act that could undermine a new peace effort for Cyprus. “The EU has parked sanctions in the drawer for now.