An awkward but unavoidable partner. The EU is seeking to redefine its relationship with an increasingly powerful Turkey

Wednesday, Jul 9, 2025

Turkey’s growing geopolitical strength requires a new EU partnership framework, while Bulgaria maintains cautious relations despite Ankara’s influence.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Turkey is becoming an increasingly significant global geopolitical factor that the European Union will need more from. To develop an effective partnership with Ankara, the EU must formulate a new framework for bilateral relations that balances European interests and values with the new world order. Bulgaria’s policy towards Turkey will remain careful and consistent, as diplomatic sources indicate no changes are expected due to Ankara’s sensitive influence among ethnic Turks in Bulgaria, the halting of migration waves, and growing trade relations. At the European level, Ankara will continue to rely on Sofia, which has shown trust despite Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan’s attacks regarding violations of democratic values.


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