Source: European Parliament
The April 2024 European Council conclusions[1] highlighted the EU’s strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Türkiye. This aligns with the November 2023 Joint Communication[2], advocating for a progressive, proportionate, and reversible approach.
As an EU candidate country and long-standing member of the Council of Europe, Türkiye is expected to apply the highest democratic standards and practices.
Full respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law will continue to be an integral part of EU-Türkiye relations. The Commission’s position on the arrest of the Mayor of Istanbul on 19 March 2025 was spelled out in the joint statement[3] of the High Representative/Vice-President and Commissioner for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, issued on the day of the mayor’s detention.
The statement stressed that the events gave rise to questions regarding Türkiye’s adherence to its long-established democratic tradition. The EU urged the Turkish authorities to provide full transparency and follow due process.
Accession negotiations with Türkiye remain at a standstill since June 2018, following the decisions of the Council[4]. This position was re-confirmed by the Council in December 2024[5].
Consequently, the Commission has reduced financial support to Türkiye, with funding reoriented towards support for civil society organisations and EU key priorities.
- [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/m5jlwe0p/euco-conclusions-20240417-18-en.pdf.
- [2] https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/joint-communication-european-council-state-play-eu-turkiye-political-economic-and-trade-relations-0_en.
- [3] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_25_836.
- [4] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/35863/st10555-en18.pdf.
- [5] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16983-2024-INIT/en/pdf.