In its annual report, the European Parliament urges her EU and Turkey to break the current deadlock and find a “parallel and realistic framework” for their relations.

Unless the Turkish government drastically changes course, Turkey’s EU accession process cannot continue under the current conditions, MEPs said in a report approved on Wednesday by 434 votes to 18 with 152 abstentions.

Urging the Turkish government, but also the European Union and member states to end the current deadlock and move towards a closer partnership, MEPs recommend finding a parallel and realistic framework for EU-Turkey relations and call on the Commission to investigate the possible forms this could take.

The MEPs confirm that Turkey remains a candidate for EU membership, a NATO ally and a key partner in the fields of security, trade and economic relations and immigration, stressing that the country is expected to respect democratic values, the rule of law, human rights and comply with EU laws, principles and obligations.

No connection between Sweden’s NATO and Turkey’s EU accession processes

Parliament calls on Turkey to ratify Sweden’s accession to NATO without further delay and underlines that one country’s NATO accession process cannot under any circumstances be linked to another’s EU accession process. The progress of each country on its accession path in the EU is still based on its own performance, emphasizes the EP.

The report welcomes Turkey’s vote to condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in the UN General Assembly and its commitment to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, expressing Parliament’s regret that Turkey does not support sanctions outside the UN framework. The country’s rate of alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy has fallen to an all-time low (7%), which is by far the lowest among all enlargement countries.

Condemnation of actions in Pyla and call for respect of Turkey’s international obligations regarding minorities

The Parliament condemns the initiation of illegal construction work by the Turkish occupation forces within the security zone near the bi-communal village of Pyla/Pile in Cyprus, as well as the attacks on UN peacekeepers and the damage to UN vehicles on 18 August 2023. MEPs urge Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership to cease and reverse all these unilateral activities and to avoid any further actions and provocations that are not conducive to the resumption of negotiations under the auspices of the UN.

The report also notes that no significant progress has been made in protecting the rights of minorities, including those in Imbro and Tenedo. The Parliament calls on the Turkish authorities to fully respect the historical and cultural character of the cultural and religious monuments, noting with concern the recent developments regarding the monument of Hagia Sophia and the Museum of the Country. Reference is also made to the reopening of the Theological School of Chalkis, to the need to respect and recognize the Ecumenical Patriarchate, but also to the protection of minorities from hate speech and religious places from vandalism.

EU commitment to support refugees and post-earthquake reconstruction efforts

MEPs praise Turkey’s efforts to continue hosting the world’s largest refugee population, numbering nearly four million people. They welcome the fact that the EU continues to provide funding for refugees and host communities in Turkey, and are determined to maintain this funding in the future.

Expressing their heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the devastating earthquakes of 6 February 2023, MEPs say the EU should continue to respond to humanitarian needs and reconstruction efforts. They underline that European solidarity could lead to a tangible improvement in relations between the EU and Turkey.

Rapporteur Nacho Sánchez Amor (Socialists, Spain) said: “We have recently seen a renewed interest from the Turkish government in revitalizing the EU accession process. This will not happen as a result of geopolitical negotiations, but when the Turkish authorities show a real interest in stopping the continued regression of fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. If the Turkish government really wants to revitalize its path towards the EU, it should show it with concrete reforms and actions, not statements.”