The European Commission is asking Turkey, as a candidate country, to align its regional policy with European values, in message with a clear diplomatic weight.
At a time of increased geopolitical tensions and upheaval over the role of Europe on the international scene, the Commission is sending a clear message to Ankara, underlining that the path of a candidate country towards accession is not limited to institutional criteria but also to full alignment with the fundamental principles and values of the Union. Against the background of the statements of Orsula von der Leyen on the need to shield the European continent from external influences, the European Commission clarifies the role and expectations that accompany Turkey as a candidate country, noting that its stance on its wider regional policy is assessed in the light of its compatibility with the European framework of principles.
The European Commission clarified on President Ursula von der Leyen‘s statements on the need to armour Europe from the influence of third countries such as Russia, Turkey and China, underlining the role of Turkey as a candidate country.
Turkey bears increased responsibility
During the regular briefing for journalists on Tuesday, Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho, responding to a question from Anadolu Agency on how the Commission president’s statements should be interpreted, noted that Turkey bears increased responsibility due to its candidate country status.
“Turkey, precisely because it is a candidate country, has an additional responsibility in its region. We do not supervise the influence it exerts in its neighbouring region,” she said.
She explained that von der Leyen’s reference was mainly to the Western Balkans and linked to the need for regional relations to be aligned with the principles and values of the European Union. She underlined that the EU’s expectation is that Turkey should act in a way compatible with the European framework of values in the context of its regional policy.
The European Commission president had raised the issue on Monday during an event in Hamburg to mark the 80th anniversary of the newspaper Die Zeit, where she expressed her support for the enlargement of the European Union. “We must succeed in completing the European continent so that it is not influenced by Russia, Turkey or China,” she had said.
