ANKARA

The EU and Ankara are "in a process of regaining trust," European Parliament standing rapporteur on Turkiye said on Friday. 

"We are now in a new mood in our relations and I can say there is a positive environment. We are in a process of regaining trust," Nacho Sanchez Amor said in a news conference on the annual assessment of Turkiye's EU candidacy.

When the last report came out in May, it was the "worst" period of relations between the parties, the EU official said.

Sanchez said he saw "a very lively political environment" and the main aim is to get the accession negotiations back on track for the EU and Turkiye.

There are many positive developments, Sanchez said and added that he would share them with his colleagues back in Brussels and ask them to have these developments in the report.

The rapporteur said Turkiye's position and stance regarding Russia's military operation in Ukraine is one of the positive points that will be included in the report.

"I think it is important to emphasize this. Because Turkey, together with the Western world, takes a stance in accordance with international rules," he said. "As of today, and as before, we see that we can work together in the field of security and defense."

Turkiye's "excellent" role in immigration, resumption of high-level talks, Paris Agreement and climate change are among other positive developments, according to Sanchez.

On Customs Union, he said that the work to be recorded in the area can be "the most realistic and tangible work."

He, however, said the European Parliament will not approve any issue related to the Customs Union unless it is accompanied by political reforms.

"I can say that I am sure of that," he added.

Regarding Turkiye's EU membership bid, Sanchez said if Turkiye "fulfills the requirements of the accession process ... no matter what reservations are made in terms of culture, religion or democracy, no matter what field it is said to be vetoed in, it can become a member.

"It depends on compliance with these criteria," he added.

The rapporteur also mentioned the negative findings, saying they did not see "any improvement" in human rights and rule of law, calling it "discouraging".

He said that the EU only wants Turkiye to follow its constitution when it comes to justice, so they do not evaluate any opinion from their side as meddling in internal affairs.

Previous reports had more general statements and this one will have more specific critics, he added.

Turkiye applied for EU membership in 1987 and its accession talks began in 2005. But negotiations stalled in 2007 due to objections of the Greek Cypriot administration, as well as opposition from Germany and France.

Ankara also says Brussels has failed to keep its promises under the 2016 EU-Turkiye migration deal to help migrants and stem further migrant waves.

Turkiye already hosts around 4 million refugees, more than any other country in the world.