Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, met today in Brussels with Turkish EU Affairs Minister and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik. High Representative Mogherini and Minister Çelik discussed EU-Turkey relations and the latest developments in the region, notably the conflict in Syria and the Turkish military operation in Afrin.

The European Union's commitment to open and direct channels of communication with Turkey – a candidate country and key partner – was, once again, reconfirmed with this meeting and will continue with different high level political dialogues, including on foreign policy and sectoral cooperation.