On the 2025 Commission report on Türkiye
AFET-PR-781407
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Nacho Sánchez Amor
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This draft report assesses Türkiye's EU accession progress and broader EU-Türkiye relations, noting serious backsliding in rule of law and human rights.¶¶¶ It calls on Türkiye to implement ECtHR judgments, end attacks on opposition and media, and improve women's and LGBTI+ rights.¶¶¶ It welcomes Türkiye's refugee hosting and macroeconomic reforms, but regrets low CFSP alignment and lack of progress on Cyprus.¶¶¶ It concludes that the accession process cannot resume under current circumstances and urges a strategic partnership instead.¶¶
Committee position. The rapporteur proposes a resolution that condemns democratic backsliding, calls for reforms, and states that EU accession cannot resume under current circumstances, urging a strategic partnership instead.¶¶
Key points
- Reaffirms support for Turkish civil society's EU aspirations despite lack of progress.¶
- Stresses that EU accession is normative, non-transactional, and conditional on Copenhagen criteria without a deadline.¶
- Regrets that Turkish government's commitments to EU membership are not matched by action on rule of law and fundamental freedoms.¶¶
- Calls on EU institutions and member states to speak out against rule of law erosion in Türkiye.¶¶
- Condemns judicial double standards, constitutional crisis, and targeting of opposition, including detention of Mayor İmamoğlu.¶¶¶
- Condemns dismissals and arrests of 28 mayors and replacement of 11 with trustees, and ongoing pressure on journalists and LGBTI+ persons.¶¶¶
- Commends 'Terror-free Türkiye' initiative but regrets lack of timely action.¶
- Welcomes macroeconomic stabilisation and anti-corruption efforts, but warns rule of law erosion affects investor confidence.¶¶¶
- Commends Türkiye for hosting 2.7 million refugees, including 2.3 million Syrians.¶
- Supports deepening cooperation in energy, transport, digital, and people-to-people contacts, and modernising the customs union with conditionality.¶¶
- Welcomes visa facilitation progress but calls for addressing obstacles to visa liberalisation dialogue.¶
- Maintains that accession cannot resume under current circumstances and urges a closer strategic partnership.¶¶
Who is affected
- Turkish government and authorities: must implement reforms, respect rights, and improve alignment with EU policies.¶¶¶
- Turkish opposition, journalists, LGBTI+ persons, and civil society: face continued pressure and violations.¶¶¶
- EU institutions and member states: urged to be vocal against democratic backsliding and work on strategic partnership.¶¶¶
- Refugees in Türkiye: benefit from Türkiye's hosting, but sustainability not ensured.¶