Senior European Union officials called for “sustained de-escalation” to enable a more positive relationship with Turkey in a videoconference with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Charles Michel discussed the possibility of a visit to Turkey during the call with the Turkish leader. As well as EU-Turkey relations, tension in the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus peace talks, Syrian refugees in Turkey and the situation in the wider region, including Libya and Syria, were on the agenda. “The EU side underlined the importance of sustained de-escalation and of further strengthening confidence to allow for a more positive EU-Turkey agenda,” a joint statement by Ms von der Leyen and Mr Michel said. Tension between the bloc and Turkey were heightened last year after a Turkish vessel was sent to search for gas in disputed waters in the eastern Mediterranean, which angered Greece, Cyprus and EU member states. Relations between Brussels and Ankara are expected to be a major talking point at the European Council next week. Turkey will be encouraged to revive negotiations with Greece over maritime boundaries and discuss renewed peace efforts over disputed Cyprus. Mr Erdogan told the EU leaders he expected “concrete action” from the European Council and insisted "high-level dialogue must begin". He is expected to request that a 2016 deal to stem the flow of migrants into the EU from Turkey be reformed. This week, the EU condemned Turkey’s move to crack down on the country’s second largest opposition political party.