Ankara Slams EU 2026 Report as Biased
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in reaction to the “European Commission’s 2026 Report on Turkey” and rejected the claims raised in the political, justice, and fundamental rights areas.
The statement said that the European Commission’s report within the framework of the 2026 enlargement package once again demonstrates the European Union’s biased and unfair approach toward Turkey. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized: “We reject the baseless claims raised in this report; these accusations reflect the double standard and the contradictory and unacceptable attitude of some European Union officials.”
According to the statement, the report, like the reports of previous years, supports the maximalist positions of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side; positions that contradict international law and have moved away from existing realities. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this approach ignores the rights, interests, and just policies of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Ministry also emphasized that as long as the European Union unconditionally supports the positions of the Greek Cypriot side on the Cyprus issue, it will not be possible to contribute to efforts to achieve a solution.
In another part of the statement, the report’s assessments regarding the Eastern Mediterranean were considered completely contrary to international law and the principle of equity, and the statements made about the memorandum of understanding signed between Turkey and Libya were described as invalid.
Further, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs considered noteworthy some positive assessments in the report regarding the country’s progress in economic and monetary policies, an effective market economy, and capacity to cope with competitive pressures in the European Union. The Ministry also welcomed the report’s positive references to Turkey’s role in the connectivity and resilience of supply and value chains, as well as in the defense and security fields. Ankara once again emphasized its justified and legitimate expectation for the updating of the Customs Union.
At the end of the statement, it was stated that Turkey-European Union relations should be shaped on the basis of common interests and a long-term perspective, away from narrow political calculations and unilateral approaches. Turkey announced that it is ready to advance these relations within the framework of the law of partnership, in adherence to agreements, and on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and equity.
Ankara expects the European Union to show the necessary strategic will to realize a common future by turning recent dialogues into concrete decisions in line with strengthening Turkey’s membership perspective.
