Without clear and significant progress on reforms, the European Parliament cannot consider reopening accession negotiations, MEPs warn.
In a report adopted on Tuesday by 448 votes in favour, 67 against and 107 abstentions, MEPs warn that despite Turkey's repeated statements on the goal of EU accession, there has been a continuous backsliding on its commitments in the last two years.
The Parliament welcomes the recent slight improvement in EU-Turkey relations, particularly in terms of high-level dialogues. Unfortunately, this enhanced cooperation coexists with regular conflicts, as relations with neighbouring EU member states remain a challenge, MEPs stress.
The report also highlights the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Turkey. The EP deplores the continued legal and administrative pressure exerted by the Turkish government on civil society and human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists, calling on the Commission to provide adequate support to pro-democracy efforts in Turkey.
Condemning the provocative behaviour towards Greece and Cyprus
MEPs point out that despite some signs of de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean in the interim since the last EP report on Turkey, there has recently been a new flare-up and regret recent statements by Turkish officials challenging Greece's sovereignty over some of its islands which are counterproductive and undermine the security environment in the region. Reiterating the call to all sides to make a sincere collective effort to negotiate the boundaries of EEZs and continental shelves in the region on the basis of good faith and international rules, they condemn the harassment of research vessels within the Cypriot EEZ, as well as violations of Greek national airspace, including overflights. Welcome Turkey's contribution to ensuring gas supply adequacy through the interconnection of the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and reiterate their support for the European Council's proposal for a multilateral conference on the Eastern Mediterranean, stressing that the Green Agreement provides important opportunities for achieving cooperative, sustainable and inclusive energy solutions.
In addition, MEPs regret that the Cyprus problem remains unresolved and strongly reiterate that a solution in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and within the international legal framework is the only viable solution. They call on Cyprus to abandon its unacceptable proposal for a "two-state solution", to withdraw its troops from Cyprus and to refrain from any unilateral actions that would consolidate the permanent division of the island, as well as from actions that alter its demographic balance. They also condemn the signing of the so-called economic and financial protocol between Turkey and the non-government-controlled areas of Cyprus but its attitude regarding the continued violation of UNSC resolutions on the transfer of the Varosha to their legitimate inhabitants. They call on Turkey to give the Turkish Cypriot community the necessary space to act in accordance with its role as a legitimate community on the island and call on the Commission to increase its efforts to engage with this community, recalling that its place is in the EU.
Turkey's objections to Sweden and Finland's NATO membership
MEPs call on the Turkish government to treat Finland and Sweden's applications for NATO membership in good faith, to engage constructively in efforts to resolve outstanding issues in accordance with EU values and legal requirements and to refrain from exerting undue pressure in this process. In the present serious circumstances, it is important that all NATO allies act proactively and swiftly ratify the accession protocols of the two countries.
The importance of close EU-Turkey cooperation in the field of foreign and security policy
Welcoming Turkey's willingness to act as a mediator in the Russian war against Ukraine, MEPs stress the vital importance of good EU-Turkey cooperation in the field of foreign and security policy in the current difficult circumstances and thank the country for its firm alignment with NATO and the EU.
The report praises Turkey's efforts to continue hosting the world's largest refugee population and notes the continued provision of EU funding for this purpose, which MEPs pledge to maintain in the future. They also support the Commission's proposal to open negotiations to update a mutually beneficial customs union, but warn that Parliament will only support a final agreement if the necessary democratic conditions for human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for international law and good neighbourly relations are met.
In summary, Parliament cannot, at this stage, justify amending its position on the formal suspension of the By openly defying the binding judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in relation to the case of Osman Kavala and others, the current Turkish government has deliberately destroyed any expectations of a resumption of the EU accession process under the present circumstances.
Statements
"In today's difficult times, it is more important than ever to recall that the values and principles that lie at the heart of any EU accession process cannot be set aside because of some extraordinary geopolitical situation. That is why Parliament, and I hope that all EU institutions will do the same, will not remain silent in the face of the country's current authoritarian vicious circle. Instead of regaining lost trust, which is an essential asset in EU-Turkey relations, we are losing more now: the irresponsible veto on NATO and the growing tensions towards EU Member States are worrying signs for the near future, marked by an election situation in the country. If there is no change, I think it will be difficult for the accession process to survive another five years," said rapporteur Nacho Sánchez Amor (Socialists, Spain).
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