EU Parliament calls for strategic vision with Turkey to resolve Syrian crisis

Renewed mutual engagement is needed to maintain constructive relations between the EU and Turkey, said the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee in a vote on Thursday. In their resolution, on the 2012 progress report on Turkey, MEPs praise talks which might help settle the Kurdish issue and call for negotiations to be opened on the judiciary, fundamental rights and home affairs in Turkey, noted an EP statement. The resolution encourages Turkey to develop its foreign policy in closer dialogue and coordination with the EU than in 2012. Beyond humanitarian assistance to the increasing number of Syrian refugees, Turkey and the EU should develop joint strategic vision allowing for the end of the tragic crisis in Syria, it underlines. The resolution is set to be put to a vote by the whole European Parliament in April.