European Parliament freezes Türkiye's EU accession talks

The European Parliament has dealt a blow to Türkiye's long-standing bid for European Union membership, stating that the country's geopolitical value cannot compensate for continued democratic backsliding under its current government.

In a resolution adopted on May 7 by 367 votes in favour, 74 against, and 188 abstentions, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) made it clear that Türkiye’s EU accession process cannot resume “under current circumstances,” despite the “democratic and pro-European aspirations of a large part of Turkish society,” Caliber.Az reports, citing the European Parliament's press statement.

The report cites Ankara’s failure to address fundamental democratic shortcomings and points to a growing shift within the EU towards “a different framework for the relationship, which might come at the expense of the accession process.”

MEPs urged the Turkish government, the EU institutions, and member states to focus on building a closer and more strategic partnership in areas such as climate action, energy security, counter-terrorism, and regional stability—despite the stalled membership process.

No compromise on democratic standards

“EU membership criteria are not up for negotiation,” the report stresses, reiterating that these criteria include respect for democratic institutions, human rights, the rule of law, and alignment with EU foreign policy.

MEPs expressed deep concern over what they described as the “continued deterioration of democratic standards in Türkiye” and the “relentless suppression of critical voices.” The European Parliament condemned the “harsh crackdown on the recent peaceful mass protests” and the “prosecution of hundreds of protesters through hasty mass trials lacking any evidence of criminal wrongdoing.”

Special criticism was directed at the Turkish government’s treatment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, whose arrest MEPs called a “politically motivated move aimed at preventing a legitimate challenger from standing in the upcoming elections.” Such actions, the report warns, are pushing Türkiye “further towards a fully authoritarian model.”

EU membership: Not a geopolitical bargain

“Membership is about democracy,” said rapporteur Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D, ES). “We are constantly hearing from Turkish authorities about their supposed commitment to EU membership and how important it is for us to revive this process due to security and geopolitics, but they have got it wrong. The further they push towards a full authoritarian model – as observed recently with Ekrem İmamoğlu’s arrest – the further they move away from EU membership.”

MEPs also condemned President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent “illegal visit” to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, calling it a “unilateral action” and “tantamount to a direct illegitimate intervention against the interests of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.”

Strategic cooperation despite a stalemate

While firmly opposing Türkiye’s EU accession under the current political trajectory, the Parliament acknowledged the country’s importance as a NATO ally and strategic partner. “Türkiye’s strategic and geopolitical importance, and its increasing presence and influence in areas critical for international security, such as the Black Sea region, Ukraine and the Middle East,” were noted.

However, MEPs warned that “democratic backsliding and non-alignment with EU common foreign and security policy are not conducive to significant progress being made” even in these strategically important areas.

Despite the impasse, the Parliament emphasized that “the democratic and pro-European aspirations of the majority of Turkish society, particularly among Turkish youth,” are reasons to keep the accession process “alive, even if frozen.”

By Khagan Isayev