site.btaTurkiye’s EU Accession Process Must Stay On Ice - MEPs

In the current circumstances, despite the democratic and pro-European aspirations of a large part of Turkish society, Turkiye’s EU accession process cannot be resumed, say Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs in a report adopted on Wednesday by 48 votes in favour,3 against and 23 abstentions. The report will be put to the vote at a plenary session of the European Parliament.

The Turkish government has failed to take the necessary steps to address existing fundamental democratic shortcomings, says the report, pointing to the increased tendency in the EU to move towards “a different framework for the relationship, which might come at the expense of the accession process”.

Deeply concerned by the continued deterioration of democratic standards in Turkiye and by the Turkish authorities’ relentless crackdown on critical voices, MEPs condemn the constant targeting of political parties and members of the opposition and are extremely concerned by the recent arrest and removal from office of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoglu. This is a politically motivated move aimed at preventing a legitimate challenger from standing in the upcoming elections, and one that further pushes the country towards a fully authoritarian model, they say. MEPs urge the Turkish authorities to put an end to the current serious restrictions on fundamental freedoms – in particular the freedoms of expression and of assembly.

EU membership is contingent on fulfilling the accession criteria. These criteria require stable institutions that guarantee democracy, the rule of law, human rights, respect for and protection of minorities, good neighbourly relations, compliance with international law and alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy. These are absolute criteria, not matters subject to transactional strategic considerations or negotiations, states the report.

MEPs acknowledge Turkiye’s strategic and geopolitical importance, and its increasing presence and influence in areas critical for international security, such as the Black Sea region, Ukraine and the Middle East. Turkiye is a strategic partner and a NATO ally. It is also a country with which the EU has close relations in security, trade, economy and migration. Therefore, it is important to maintain a constructive dialogue and to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual strategic interest, say MEPs. They urge the Turkish government, the EU institutions and the EU member states to continue working, beyond the currently frozen accession process, towards a closer, more dynamic and strategic partnership with particular emphasis on climate action, energy security, counter-terrorism cooperation, and regional stability.