The continuing democratic regression in Turkey does not allow it to move forward with EU accession.
Reforms and rapid modernization are required.
While currently the EU enlargement policy seems to be regaining momentum, Turkey is missing this opportunity because of a lack of democratic reforms, concludes the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament in a report adopted.
Despite the Turkish government’s repeated assurances of its commitment to EU membership, key shortcomings affecting the accession process remain unresolved, the report says.
MEPs call on the Turkish government to address ongoing deficiencies in the areas of the rule of law, human rights, democratic standards, freedom of the press and other fundamental freedoms, and to respect good neighbourly relations and international law.
They stress, in particular, the need to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, to safeguard freedom of expression, to protect journalists and the rights of local authorities, and to end politically motivated trials.
The report also criticises the limited reaction of other EU institutions and many member states to these developments, urging them to take a more assertive stance to defend democratic standards and the rule of law in Turkey.
Although the accession process has been stalled since 2018, Turkey remains a country of strategic and geopolitical importance and an ally within NATO, the MEPs stress.
Noting its growing presence and influence in areas of vital importance for international security and strategic interests of the EU, such as the Black Sea region, including Ukraine, the South Caucasus and the Middle East, the report stresses the importance of strengthening EU-Turkey cooperation on regional security issues, especially in the light of a changing geopolitical landscape.
In addition, the report examines EU-Turkey relations beyond the accession process in areas of mutual interest, reiterating its call for the resumption of all relevant high-level dialogues and the establishment of structured dialogues on sectoral cooperation to address common challenges.
MEPs also call for the modernisation of the customs union and stress the importance of Turkey’s compliance with the outstanding benchmarks for the resumption of the visa liberalisation process.
The report also calls on the EU and member states to maintain and, where possible, increase financial assistance by strengthening support to Turkish civil society and refugee organisations.
The report expresses support for the Greece-Turkey dialogue, such as the February 2026 Mitsotakis-Erdoğan summit, as a step towards de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean, condemning the ongoing violations of Greek sovereignty,including the political abuse of the NAVTEX system, violations of Greek EEZ and obstruction of critical EU energy projects such as the Great Sea Interconnector cable and the EastMed pipeline.
In addition, it rejects the Blue Homeland doctrine and calls on Turkey to fully respect international law and UNCLOS, including the right to delimit EEZs, calling for the withdrawal of the invalid Turkey-Libya agreement, which violates the rights of third states.
It stresses that a non-aggressive and cooperative stance by Turkey is necessary for the stability of the region and the resolution of disputes based on international law.
The text reaffirms Parliament’s position that the only solution to the Cyprus problem is a just, comprehensive, viable and democratic settlement, within the agreed UN framework, on the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with a single international legal personality, unitary sovereignty, unitary citizenship and political equality, as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions, in the agreed areas of convergence and in the UN Secretary General’s framework, as well as in accordance with international law and EU principles and values.
Welcomes recent initiatives to resume negotiations, including informal meetings under UN auspices in 2025-2026, as well as confidence-building measures between the two communities.
At the same time, it condemns Turkey’s unilateral actions, such as the illegal settlement of residents in Varosha and the seizure of property of Greek Cypriots, and calls for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island and respect for the Green Line.
Finally, it underlines that the prospect of closer EU-Turkey cooperation depends on full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and a constructive contribution by Ankara to the Cyprus settlement, including demilitarisation and protection of human rights.
The MEPs call on Turkey to respect the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), including that on the murders of Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou, and to execute international arrest warrants against the suspects.
In addition, they stress the need to respect the recommendations of the Venice Commission, particularly with regard to minorities, such as the Greek Orthodox population of Imbros and Tenedos, as well as respect for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, with recognition of its legal personality and the title of Ecumenical Patriarch.
They express deep concern about the lack protection of world heritage monuments such as Hagia Sophia and the Monastery of Panagia Soumela, as well as acts of vandalism against minority places of worship, calling for the immediate implementation of UNESCO’s decisions.
Finally, the need to respect the rights of the interned Greek Cypriots and free access to religious sites, in accordance with Turkey’s international obligations is stressed.
Greece is called upon to closely monitor the progress in Turkey and to demand the country’s rapid adaptation to European standards.
