On the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Türkiye
A-10-2025-0067
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Nacho Sánchez Amor
- Voted on · Adopted 367–74–188 · See the decision →
- Full procedure 2025/2023
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This resolution responds to the Commission's 2023 and 2024 reports on Türkiye, covering accession progress and EU-Türkiye relations.¶¶ It finds that Türkiye's accession process cannot resume due to democratic backsliding and human rights violations, and calls for a strategic partnership instead.¶¶¶ It urges Türkiye to implement reforms, respect fundamental freedoms, comply with ECtHR rulings, and align with EU foreign policy, including sanctions on Russia.¶¶¶ It addresses regional issues, including Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, Syria, and Armenia, and calls for constructive engagement.¶¶¶ It supports modernizing the customs union and visa liberalization, conditioned on human rights and good neighborly relations.¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes a resolution that condemns Türkiye's democratic backsliding, states that accession cannot resume, and calls for a strategic partnership based on conditionality.¶¶¶
Key points
- Recognizes Türkiye's EU accession aspirations but stresses that membership requires full compliance with Copenhagen criteria and good neighborly relations.¶¶
- Regrets lack of concrete actions by Turkish authorities to close the values gap and notes continued authoritarian drift.¶¶
- Calls for judicial independence and an end to political interference, noting the desolate state of the judiciary despite reform packages.¶¶
- Condemns restrictions on fundamental freedoms, including mass arrests, media censorship, and misuse of counterterrorism laws.¶¶¶
- Urges full implementation of ECtHR judgments, including release of Kavala, Demirtaş, and Yüksekdağ, and compliance with Article 46 ECHR.¶
- Condemns dismissal of elected mayors and appointment of trustees, calling for reversal and possible EU sanctions.¶
- Deplores deterioration in women's rights and LGBTI+ rights, urging reversal of Istanbul Convention withdrawal and protection of all minorities.¶¶
- Welcomes Öcalan's call for PKK disarmament as an opportunity for peace, but stresses need for inclusive political process and end to repression.¶
- Calls for respect of Cyprus's sovereignty, withdrawal of troops, and reversal of Varosha actions, supporting UN-led settlement.¶¶
- Urges alignment with EU sanctions on Russia and cooperation to prevent circumvention, noting Türkiye's low alignment rate.¶
- Supports upgrading the customs union and visa liberalization, conditioned on human rights and implementation of the Additional Protocol.¶¶
- Concludes that accession cannot resume under current circumstances and calls for a strategic partnership framework.¶¶
Who is affected
- Turkish authorities: must implement reforms, respect rights, and align with EU policies to improve relations.¶¶¶
- Turkish civil society and pro-democratic groups: receive continued EU political and financial support.¶
- Refugees in Türkiye: EU funding must comply with human rights standards; returns only voluntary and safe.¶
- Turkish Cypriot community: encouraged to engage with EU and work towards reunification.¶
- EU institutions and member states: urged to maintain dialogue, consider sanctions, and support civil society.¶¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- 22,450 pending ECtHR applications against Türkiye, 36.7% of total caseload.¶
- 394 women murdered and 259 found dead in suspicious circumstances in 2024.¶
- 5% alignment rate with EU foreign policy statements as of 30 September 2024.¶
- Around 3.1 million refugees hosted, including 2.9 million Syrians.¶
- EU contributed close to EUR 10 billion since 2011; additional EUR 1 billion allocated in December 2024.
- 439% increase in prison population between 2005 and 2023.¶