The European Parliament said on Wednesday that Türkiye’s strategic and geopolitical importance does not compensate for its continued democratic decline, warning that accession to the European Union cannot proceed under current conditions.
In a report adopted by 367 votes to 74, with 188 abstentions, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) said that despite the pro-European aspirations of a significant portion of Turkish society, Türkiye’s EU accession process remains stalled due to democratic shortcomings.
The report accuses the Turkish government of failing to uphold core democratic principles and warns that the EU is increasingly leaning toward a different framework for relations—potentially sidelining the accession process. Parliament urged both Turkish authorities and EU institutions to pursue closer cooperation in areas such as climate action, energy security, counter-terrorism and regional stability.
EU Membership Criteria ‘Non-Negotiable’
MEPs voiced concern over what they described as a deterioration in democratic standards and the suppression of dissent in Türkiye. They condemned the crackdown on recent peaceful protests and criticised the prosecution of demonstrators through what they called “hasty mass trials” lacking evidence.
The report also said legal actions against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu appeared politically motivated and aimed at disqualifying a prominent opposition figure from future elections. “With these actions, the current Turkish authorities are pushing the country further toward authoritarianism,” the report stated.
MEPs reiterated that EU membership depends on meeting specific criteria, including respect for democracy, the rule of law, human rights, minority rights, and alignment with EU foreign policy. These requirements, they said, are not open to negotiation based on strategic considerations.
Parliament also condemned President Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent visit to the occupied areas of northern Cyprus, calling it illegal and a unilateral provocation against both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.
Strategic Cooperation, Despite Democratic Concerns
While critical of Türkiye’s internal policies, MEPs acknowledged its geopolitical importance and its role in key regions, including the Black Sea, Ukraine, and the Middle East. They noted that Türkiye remains a NATO ally and a close EU partner on trade, migration, and security.
However, they cautioned that further cooperation hinges on Türkiye’s respect for democratic norms and alignment with EU foreign policy.
Rapporteur Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D, Spain) said: “We are constantly hearing from Turkish authorities about their supposed commitment to EU membership and the importance of reviving the process for geopolitical reasons. But they have it wrong. Membership is about democracy. The more they move toward authoritarianism—as seen with İmamoğlu’s arrest—the further they move away from EU accession.”