Türkiye’s EU Accession Process Remains Frozen, Says European Parliament

The European Parliament has emphasized that Türkiye’s EU accession process must remain frozen due to the ongoing deterioration of democratic standards in the country. MEPs condemned the harsh crackdown on recent peaceful mass protests and criticized President Erdogan’s illegal visit to occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

According to a report adopted with 367 votes in favor, 74 against, and 188 abstentions, MEPs stated that despite Türkiye’s geopolitical and strategic importance, the government’s democratic backsliding cannot be overlooked. The report highlighted the failure of the Turkish government to address fundamental democratic shortcomings, leading to a shift within the EU towards a different framework for the relationship.

MEPs reiterated that EU membership criteria are non-negotiable and contingent on fulfilling specific accession criteria, including stable institutions that guarantee democracy, human rights, and respect for minorities. The report also condemned President Erdogan’s visit to Cyprus and his provocative statements, labeling them as illegitimate interventions against the interests of both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.

While acknowledging Türkiye’s strategic importance and cooperation in various areas, MEPs stressed that democratic backsliding and non-alignment with EU common foreign and security policy hinder significant progress. The rapporteur, Nacho Sánchez Amor, emphasized the importance of democracy in the membership process, warning that Türkiye’s move towards authoritarianism distances it from EU membership.