ANKARA, November 1. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for the resumption of talks for Turkey to join the European Union when he spoke by phone with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday, according to the Turkish presidential office.

"President Erdogan said he attaches special importance to the close dialogue with Chancellor Scholz with the purpose of strengthening ties between the countries in all areas. Turkey expects Germany to go back to neutrality with respect to Turkish-Greek relations. President Erdogan said he stands for the resumption of talks with the European Union to update the customs union and the talks to join the EU," the presidential office said.

Oliver Varhelyi, the European commissioner for neighborhood and enlargement, said on October 12 that relations between the EU and Turkey were difficult but he reaffirmed Turkey’s status as a candidate to join.