Answer given by Vice-President Mogherini on behalf of the Commission

13.4.2016

The HR/VP does not have evidence to support allegations that Turkey has been benefitting financially from trading and smuggling oil with Da'esh. Turkey is a key partner in the coalition against Da'esh, as recognised in the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) Conclusions of 9 February 2015.

The situation in Syria and Iraq demands closer EU/Turkey foreign policy dialogue and cooperation. The EU continues to encourage Turkey to develop its foreign policy as a complement to and in coordination with the EU, and to progressively align with EU policies and positions. At the EU-Turkey Summit on 29 November 2015 and at 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. Also, a EUR 1 billion package was announced for 2015-2016 to implement the ‘EU strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the Da'esh threat’[1] as agreed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 16 March 2015.

Turkey is a member of the Financial Action Task Force, whose recommendations and best practices address the financing of terrorism by advising Member States to adopt a solid legal and institutional framework. The UN Security Council Resolutions related to suppressing terrorist financing and sanctions for individuals and entities linked to terrorist groups such as Da'esh also apply to Turkey, as a member of the UN. Countering the financing of terrorism, including illegal trade with ISIS/Da'esh, was an important subject in a dedicated EU-Turkey Counter Terrorism (CT) workshop in June 2015 and will be a priority topic in the planned Counter Terrorism Dialogue later this year.

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