Reply
29.9.2016
In its conclusions of 9 February 2015, the Council recognised Turkey as a key partner in the coalition against Da'esh[1]. The EU continues to encourage Turkey, as a candidate country, to develop its foreign policy in close coordination with the EU, and to progressively align itself with the EU's political declarations, decisions and agreements. The very serious developments in the region, in particular in Syria and Iraq, render it crucial that dialogue and cooperation on foreign policy issues be increased within the framework of the EU-Turkey political dialogue, as stated in the Council conclusions of December 2014[2]. At the EU-Turkey Summit on 29 November 2015 and the High-Level Political Dialogue on 25 January 2016 it was agreed to expand and intensify our political dialogue across all areas, including foreign and security policy, migration and counter-terrorism.
Moreover, in its conclusions of 16 March 2015, the Council stated that it would work with the EEAS and the Commission within their respective competences towards the planned, swift and coordinated implementation of the ‘EU strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the Da'esh threat’[3], including the mobilisation of the adequate assistance at bilateral level in addition to the EUR 1 billion assistance package from the EU budget.
With regard to arms exports to Gulf countries, Article 1 of Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP[4] specifies that the final decision on whether to authorise or deny an export remains within the discretion of Member States. While Member States may take into account the effect of proposed exports on their interests, these do not affect the application of the criteria described in Article 2 of that Common Position.
Pursuant to Article 9 of the Common Position, Member States also jointly assess, through the common foreign and security policy framework, the situation of potential or actual recipients of exports of military technology and equipment from Member States, in light of the principles and criteria set out in the Common Position. It should also be noted that national licensing authorities may apply certain conditions, notably regarding the prohibition of re-exportation and the provision of specific assurances by destination countries, such as a commitment by the recipient country not to deploy the goods abroad, in order to ensure compliance with the principles of the Common Position.
The EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator (CTC) visited Qatar and the UAE in May 2016. He met a number of senior officials in both countries as well as the Qatari Prime Minister, and discussed a range of subjects, including the need for more concerted action to tackle Da'esh financing.
A Counter-Terrorism Dialogue with Turkey took place in Brussels on 8 June 2016, attended by the EU CTC, the EEAS, Commission representatives and relevant JHA agencies, as well as a broad range of Turkish ministries and bodies. It included a detailed exchange on Da'esh and how the EU and Turkey might intensify their cooperation to stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters travelling to Syria and Iraq and to tackle Da'esh's financial operations. EU experts have been working with the Turkish Financial Intelligence Unit (MASAK) to help align Turkish anti-money laundering standards with international norms.
The EU CTC plans to visit Riyadh in the autumn to discuss how the EU and Saudi Arabia can deepen cooperation on counter-terrorism.