EU Welcomes Turkey’s SEPA Bid as Inflation Drop Opens Door to Closer Ties

EU Welcomes Turkey’s SEPA Bid as Inflation Drop Opens Door to Closer Ties

The European Union has welcomed Turkey’s application to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), with a top official linking the deal directly to Ankara’s ongoing reforms and a sharp drop in inflation. Meanwhile, Moldova has formally opened its first cluster of EU membership negotiations, with its president urging member states to recognize the country’s reform efforts.

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The European Union has welcomed Türkiye’s application to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), a system that enables fast and secure cross-border payments across Europe. EU Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis stated that Türkiye’s ongoing reforms and efforts to lower inflation are crucial for its economic resilience, signaling closer financial ties between Ankara and Brussels [188299]. The move comes as Turkish officials emphasize the critical role of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which form the strong foundation of the country’s economy. Directors from the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) recommended that these businesses focus on increasing productivity by adopting digital tools, creating skilled formal jobs, and building resilience to disasters and economic shocks [183578].

In a separate development, Moldova has opened its first cluster of negotiations to join the European Union, marking a major step for the ex-Soviet republic of nearly 3 million people. President Maia Sandu addressed an EU-Moldova summit in Brussels on June 22, 2026, saying: “We hope the member states will recognise our effort.” The country, which borders Ukraine, is becoming an intense battleground between pro-EU and pro-Kremlin forces as it moves closer to the bloc [188213].

Sources

Türkiye’s Reforms and Price Drop Key to EU Deal, Official Says #188299Türkiye’s small businesses are its economic backbone, say World Bank and IFC #183578Moldova Opens EU Membership Talks, President Urges Recognition of Efforts #188213

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