Türkiye’s EU accession process must stay on ice, say MEPs

Continued deterioration of democratic standards in Türkiye

Removal from office of Ekrem İmamoğlu was politically motivated

Geopolitical and strategic imperatives cannot justify accession process shortcuts that would downgrade democratic principles, say Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs.

In the current circumstances, despite the democratic and pro-European aspirations of a large part of Turkish society, Türkiye’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 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”.

EU membership criteria are not up for negotiation

Deeply concerned by the continued deterioration of democratic standards in Türkiye 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 İmamoğlu. 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.

Work towards more a dynamic and strategic partnership

MEPs acknowledge Türkiye’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. Türkiye 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.

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The rapporteur, Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D, ES), said: “We are constantly hearing from Turkish authorities about their supposed commitment to EU membership and how important it is for us to revive this process due to security and geopolitics, but they have got it wrong. Membership is about democracy, and the further they push towards a full authoritarian model – as observed recently with Ekrem İmamoğlu’s arrest – the further they move away from EU membership.”