The European Parliament has confirmed that Türkiye’s EU accession process will remain frozen due to ongoing concerns over democratic standards. Despite Türkiye’s significant geopolitical and strategic importance, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) stressed that these factors cannot compensate for what they describe as “democratic backsliding”.
In a report adopted this week — with 367 votes in favor, 74 against, and 188 abstentions — MEPs concluded that Türkiye’s EU membership talks cannot proceed under the current conditions, acknowledging the pro-European aspirations of a large part of Turkish society but at the same time emphasizing that the EU’s membership criteria are non-negotiable.
The report criticizes Türkiye’s failure to address fundamental democratic shortcomings, signaling a growing preference within the EU for alternative frameworks of cooperation with Türkiye, even at the cost of ending accession ambitions.
Still, the European Parliament has encouraged Türkiye to work towards a closer, more dynamic partnership with the European Union, especially in areas such as trade, energy, migration, and security, with MEPs expressing deep concern about the continued erosion of democratic standards, citing the heavy-handed suppression of peaceful protests and the prosecution of demonstrators through rapid, mass trials with little to no evidence.
Despite the stalled negotiations, Türkiye’s leadership continues to emphasize the importance of joining the European Union.
In December 2024, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed that EU accession remains a strategic priority for Türkiye.
In March 2025, Erdoğan again stressed that Türkiye’s place within Europe is “inseparable” and called the country’s role vital for Europe’s long-term security and global influence.
He stated, “It is unimaginable for Europe to achieve security and remain a global actor without Türkiye’s rightful participation.”
President Erdoğan expressed optimism that meaningful progress toward EU membership could be achieved quickly, provided the necessary political will exists on both sides.
