Türkiye responds to 2024 EU report: Criticisms rejected, constructive steps expected

The European Commission released its 2024 Enlargement Strategy Document on Wednesday, including country reports assessing candidate and potential candidate countries, such as Türkiye.

In response, Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement rejecting what it views as biased criticisms while welcoming positive notes on economic progress and calling for concrete steps forward in EU relations.

The ministry firmly rejected what it termed the EU’s “unfair” assessments regarding political criteria and internal issues. However, the ministry acknowledged the report’s recognition of its macroeconomic progress, particularly in market resilience and alignment with EU economic standards.

Türkiye’s alignment with EU standards, call for dialogue

The ministry welcomed the report’s recognition of its alignment with EU standards in multiple sectors as a constructive acknowledgment. The Ministry expressed that reviving suspended dialogue mechanisms – such as the Partnership Council and High-Level Dialogue Meetings –would strengthen cooperation on shared priorities and foster productive EU-Türkiye relations.

Eastern Mediterranean cooperation, trade relations highlighted

The ministry was pleased with the report’s acknowledgment of its constructive role in the Eastern Mediterranean, including improved relations with Greece and expanded EU trade cooperation.

According to the ministry, this reflects Türkiye’s commitment to regional stability and collaboration. The ministry also called on the EU to lift the political barriers on Türkiye-EU relations set in the Council Conclusions of July 15, 2019, as an essential step toward progress.

Concerns over EU’s handling of Greek, Greek Cypriot positions

The ministry expressed concern over the report’s alignment with what it described as “unlawful and maximalist” positions of Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration, arguing that these positions overlook the interests of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The ministry reaffirmed that any resolution to the Cyprus issue should include only the two parties on the island, the three guarantor states, and the United Nations. The ministry noted that the EU’s one-sided stance undermines peace efforts, emphasizing why the EU is not regarded as an appropriate mediator in the peace process.

Need for new approach in EU-Türkiye relations

The ministry called for a fresh approach to EU-Türkiye relations in light of today’s global and regional challenges. The ministry welcomed the EU’s recent interest in increased cooperation, but it emphasized that concrete progress will require actions reflecting political will and strategic vision from the EU.

Reaffirming Türkiye’s readiness to engage constructively with the EU as a candidate country, the ministry stressed that its EU membership progress could accelerate if the EU adopts a constructive, strategic approach aligned with Türkiye’s candidacy.

The ministry urged the immediate implementation of the report’s recommendations without delay or additional conditions, expressing its commitment to a collaborative, forward-looking Türkiye-EU relationship.