EU accuses Turkey of ‘backsliding’ on reforms to join bloc
The European Union’s executive body has said that Turkey’s bid to join the bloc had “come to a standstill” amid serious democratic shortfalls in its annual report, which was slammed by the Turkish foreign ministry as making “baseless claims”. Turkey’s foreign ministry said the report showed a “double-standard approach” by the EU and rejected the “unfair criticisms and baseless claims”. “It would be in everyone’s interest if the EU, taking into account our common general interests, sees Turkey as a candidate country that is negotiating, not as a partner with whom to have daily give-take relations.” A NATO ally, Turkey has been negotiating its EU membership since 2005 after economic and political reforms that made it an important emerging market economy and trade partner. In its 2021 report, the Commission questioned Turkey’s “ability to assume the obligations of membership” and said Ankara pursued reforms in areas from the economy to rule of law “on a rather ad hoc basis”.
EU says doors open for membership talks with Turkey if Ankara gives clear signals
Discover Related
Türkiye: İmamoğlu’s Arrest Sparks Unrest as Erdoğan Faces Growing Opposition Within
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is throttling Turkey’s democracy
Is Erdogan 'too valuable for the West' to be criticised for arresting rival?
EU urges Turkey to 'uphold democratic values' as Erdoğan’s crackdown intensifies
To achieve strategic autonomy, EU must do more than just boosting defense
To achieve strategic autonomy, EU must do more than just boosting defense
Hungarians will decide whether Ukraine can join the European Union, Orbán says
Erdogan’s ‘grand vision’ to lead the Islamic world has limitations
EU prolongs its Russia sanctions for 6 months after Hungary lifts its objections
Turkiye, Slovakia elevate relations to strategic partnership level
Turkiye, Slovakia elevate relations to strategic partnership level
Why has Starmer’s Brexit reset with the EU stumbled?
Netherlands will block Serbia’s next step towards EU membership
NATO expected to sidestep Ukraine's call for quick invite
Ukraine seeks NATO membership in tacit message to Putin
Bulgaria and Romania ‘one step closer’ to full membership in Schengen zone, Hungary says
Brics offers NATO member Turkey partner country status
Turkey’s Erdogan says he remains hopeful about reconciliation with Syria
Turkey’s Erdogan says he remains hopeful about reconciliation with Syria
Kurdish leader in Syria calls for diplomatic solutions to conflict with Turkey
Moldova narrowly votes for EU membership amid claims of Russian interference
Italy says Russia or China could gain influence in Western Balkans if EU dream fails
Turkey wants to join the BRICS bloc of developing economies, official confirms
The West Should Look Past Erdogan and Deal With Turkey