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The head of the European Union Delegation to Türkiye, Ambassador Aivo Orav, said Türkiye-EU relations are "very special" and that the two sides need each other during a visit to the Black Sea city of Trabzon with ambassadors of EU member states on Thursday.
"Türkiye needs the European Union, and the European Union needs Türkiye," Orav said after meeting Trabzon Governor Tahir Sahin and Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Metin Genc.
Türkiye has been an EU candidate since 1999, and accession talks that began in 2005 have stalled.
"These relations are conducted between cities, business circles, societies and people," Orav said.
"Our relations are also very special. Especially because Türkiye is a candidate country to the European Union and because of the events currently happening in the world, we can say it is a very special relationship," he added.
"We share many common interests, from trade to energy, climate and regional cooperation. Economic relations also constitute one of the strongest pillars of EU-Türkiye relations," he noted.
The envoy said the delegation will meet business leaders, young people, civil society groups and cultural figures during its two-and-a-half-day visit, and attend a friendly match between Trabzonspor and Ireland's Drogheda United.
"The message we want to give is very simple. The strong ties between the European Union and Türkiye depend on strong ties established between people," he said.
Referring to a popular local saying, Orav added, "There is a very common, frequently heard expression here: 'Everywhere is Trabzon for us.' We are here to experience being in Trabzon."
Türkiye's ties with Europe date back to the 1963 Ankara Agreement, and a customs union with the EU took effect in 1996.
Accession negotiations began on Oct. 3, 2005, but have reached a deadlock over political blockages by member states and the Cyprus issue, with 16 chapters opened and one provisionally closed.
Orav said he expects the delegation to make many friends in Trabzon, as the visit seeks to strengthen Türkiye-EU relations at the local level.
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