Spanish main opposition party says Turkish-EU relations should be based on mutual trust

MADRID, Spain (AA) - Spain's main opposition party said Tuesday that Turkish-EU relations should be based on mutual trust.

President of the right-wing People’s Party (PP) Alberto Nunez Feijoo argued that Ankara’s position on the war in Ukraine would be decisive for the future of its relations with the bloc.

“The war made the relations of the bloc with Türkiye even more complicated,” he told foreign reporters, including a reporter from Anadolu Agency.

He highlighted that Türkiye is an important country with its economy, population and geostrategic location.

“I think, presently, the relations are passing through critical times,” he said, noting that Ankara should decide whether it will be in line with the bloc’s policies toward Russia.

When asked about the formation of populist-right-wing governments in Italy and Sweden, Feeijo said there is nothing to worry about.

“Instead, we should pay attention to what kind of policies they will pursue,” he said.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine on Feb. 24, Ankara has been firm on finding a peaceful solution to end hostilities and bring about a permanent resolution while supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity loudly.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and senior Turkish officials have repeatedly said Ankara is ready to contribute to ending the war through diplomacy and invited both leaders to meet in Türkiye.

Türkiye, the UN, Russia and Ukraine signed a deal in Istanbul on July 22 to reopen three Ukrainian Black Sea ports to export Ukrainian grain stuck due to the war, which is now in its eighth month.

Türkiye played an instrumental role in a deal in late September that led to Moscow releasing 215 Ukrainian soldiers in exchange for 55 Russian servicemen.

Hailed in Ukraine as the “defenders of Azovstal,” the five Ukrainians are in Türkiye under personal guarantees of protection by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to a statement from the Ukrainian presidential office.