Brussels: "Good atmosphere" but nothing new in EU-Erdogan talks

Last week's talks between the heads of the EU institutions and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took place in a "good atmosphere" but did not lead to the conclusion of any new agreement, officials said in Brussels, downgrading the statements made by the Turkish leader .

Human rights and security issues fuel tensions in Turkey's relations with the EU, but the Union is based on Ankara's ally, NATO ally, on immigration and the Syrian conflict.

After meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker last week in Brussels, Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly said he was presented with a new 12-month timetable aimed at renewing the links .

But senior European officials have expressed their skepticism, arguing that no formal timetables have been set.

The EU has drawn up a list of high-ranking and lower-level officials hoping to have an Ankara this year, officials say, but any improvement in bilateral relations will depend on whether the Turkish president will resolve at least some of the many Confrontation issues between the two.