As Turkey ranks 21st from the bottom in the press freedom index, the European Parliament issued a statement in early May 2025:
Latest European Parliament Statement on Turkey’s EU Membership Process
The European Parliament made a new and significant statement regarding Turkey’s EU accession process in early May 2025. This statement came in the form of a report adopted by the Parliament’s plenary session on May 7, 2025, which addressed the state of EU-Turkey relations and the status of Turkey’s candidacy for EU membership.
Key Points from the European Parliament’s Statement:
Accession Process Remains Frozen: The European Parliament reaffirmed that Turkey’s EU accession process remains frozen and cannot be resumed under current circumstances. This stance is primarily due to ongoing democratic backsliding, suppression of critical voices, and violations of fundamental rights in Turkey. The report specifically cited the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the crackdown on peaceful protests as emblematic of this trend12810.
EU Membership Criteria Not Negotiable: The Parliament emphasized that EU membership criteria-such as democracy, rule of law, human rights, protection of minorities, and alignment with EU foreign policy-are absolute and not open to negotiation or transactional considerations. Turkey’s government was criticized for failing to address fundamental democratic shortcomings, despite repeated declarations of commitment to EU membership112.
Strategic Partnership, but No Progress on Accession: While acknowledging Turkey’s strategic importance as a NATO ally and partner in areas like migration, energy security, and regional stability, the Parliament stressed that these factors cannot compensate for the lack of progress on democratic reforms. The Parliament called for deepening cooperation in mutual areas of interest but made clear that accession negotiations cannot advance without substantial changes in Turkey’s domestic governance128.
Condemnation of Actions in Cyprus: The report also condemned President Erdoğan’s recent visit to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus and described it as a provocative, unilateral action contrary to international law and the interests of both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities112.
Support for Turkish Civil Society: The Parliament recognized the pro-European aspirations of a significant portion of Turkish society, especially among youth, as a reason to keep the accession process formally alive, even if it remains frozen under current political conditions110.
Voting and Official Reactions:
The report was adopted with 367 votes in favor, 74 against, and 188 abstentions128.
The Turkish government strongly condemned the report, describing it as biased, distorted, and containing unfounded allegations. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its expectation that EU-Turkey relations be based on mutual benefit and respect36.
Summary Table: Current Status of Turkey’s EU Accession
| Aspect | European Parliament Position (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Accession Negotiations | Frozen since 2018; cannot resume under current conditions |
| Main Reasons | Democratic backsliding, human rights violations, rule of law |
| Strategic Partnership | Supported in areas like migration, security, energy |
| Civil Society Aspirations | Recognized and supported |
| Actions in Cyprus | Strongly condemned |
| Membership Criteria | Not negotiable; must be fully met |
Conclusion
As of May 2025, the European Parliament has made a clear and recent statement: Turkey’s EU accession process remains frozen due to continued democratic backsliding and failure to meet membership criteria. The Parliament supports deeper cooperation in strategic areas but insists that EU values and standards are non-negotiable prerequisites for any progress in Turkey’s membership bid12812.
Evolution of the European Parliament’s Stance on Turkey’s EU Membership
Early Engagement and Optimism (1960s–2005):
Turkey’s association with the European Economic Community began in 1963, and it applied for full membership in 1987125.
The Helsinki Summit in 1999 granted Turkey official candidate status, and accession negotiations formally opened in 2005, reflecting a period of optimism and active engagement1245.
Growing Concerns and Stagnation (2006–2015):
Progress was slow: by 2016, only 16 out of 35 negotiation chapters had been opened, and just one closed15.
Political blockages, notably over the Cyprus issue and opposition from some member states, contributed to the stagnation5.
Democratic Backsliding and Formal Suspension (2016–2019):
The failed coup attempt in Turkey in 2016 and subsequent government crackdowns led to a sharp deterioration in relations237.
The European Parliament responded with increasing criticism, citing concerns over rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms2367.
In 2017, the European Parliament unanimously called for the suspension of accession negotiations, citing violations of the Copenhagen criteria (democracy, rule of law, human rights)127.
By June 2018, the EU’s General Affairs Council declared negotiations “effectively at a standstill,” with no new chapters to be opened or closed127.
In March 2019, the European Parliament voted to halt full membership negotiations, a position reaffirmed in 2021123.
Current Position: Strategic Cooperation, Not Accession (2020s–2025):
The European Parliament’s 2025 report maintains that Turkey’s accession process must remain frozen due to ongoing democratic backsliding and suppression of critical voices6.
While recognizing Turkey’s strategic importance as a NATO ally and partner in areas like migration, security, and energy, the Parliament insists that EU membership criteria are non-negotiable and must be fully met6.
The Parliament now advocates for a “different framework” of relations, emphasizing deeper cooperation in mutual areas of interest-such as climate action, energy, and regional stability-while keeping the accession process formally alive due to the pro-European aspirations of Turkish civil society6.
The Parliament has also condemned recent actions by Turkish authorities, including the crackdown on protests and politically motivated prosecutions, as moving Turkey further away from EU values6.
Summary Table: Key Milestones in the European Parliament’s Stance
| Period | Stance/Action | Rationale/Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1963–2005 | Support for engagement, candidate status, negotiations | Optimism, reforms, strategic partnership |
| 2006–2015 | Stagnation, slow progress | Political blockages, Cyprus issue |
| 2016–2019 | Suspension calls, formal freeze of negotiations | Democratic backsliding, rule of law concerns |
| 2020s–2025 | Accession process remains frozen, strategic cooperation | Ongoing authoritarian trends, EU values prioritized |
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