Türkiye rejects European Commission report, calls it 'biased'

ISTANBUL

Ankara on Tuesday rejected a report by the European Commission, saying that it is "biased" and has unfounded allegations regarding the judiciary, fundamental rights, and domestic political developments in Türkiye.

The comments in the report are not only inconsistent with efforts to establish a positive agenda between Türkiye and the EU, but are also written in a language that runs counter to the long-term interests of both parties, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement after the European Commission released its Türkiye report earlier Tuesday.

The level of alignment with the EU acquis outlined in the report is the clearest expression of Ankara's commitment to the strategic goal of EU membership, despite the political and unjust obstacles it faced during the accession process, the ministry noted.

Türkiye considers the report's emphasis on Ankara's high level of alignment with a functioning market economy and its sound macroeconomic policies as positive and timely observations, it added.

The ministry expressed satisfaction with the report's inclusion of Türkiye's constructive stance in the Eastern Mediterranean, the improvement in relations with Greece, and the increased dialogue with the EU.

Based on these positive developments, Türkiye reiterates its legitimate expectation that the Foreign Affairs Council decisions of July 15, 2019 be swiftly repealed, it stressed.

Ankara also positively assesses the references to its active and multi-layered foreign policy vision, its determined efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships, and its constructive role in regional peace and stability, it stressed.

The ministry also noted the report's emphasis on Türkiye's strategic importance to the EU in the face of regional and global challenges and its responsibilities in areas of common interest.

In this regard, it is crucial to ensure the functioning of partnership bodies and established mechanisms between Ankara and Brussels, and to actively include Türkiye in EU initiatives and programs in the field of defense and security, it added.

The ministry noted that the report also includes "unrealistic, unlawful, and maximalist views of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side" while ignoring the legitimate concerns of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It has once again demonstrated that the EU is taking sides on the Cyprus issue and cannot contribute to efforts for settlement, it stressed.

It is vital that the EU conducts its relations with Türkiye under the principle of pacta sunt servanda, with an approach that strengthens Ankara's membership perspective, avoids policies and rhetoric that lead to deadlock in relations, and adopts a neutral stance, refraining from leaving relations hostage to bilateral issues, it said.

Developing a stronger, more institutionalized and trust-based cooperation between the two parties is in the interest of both Türkiye and Europe, as well as the wider region, the ministry underscored.

Guided by this understanding and vision, Ankara continues its work with determination and expects the EU to demonstrate the same strategic resolve and constructive approach, it added.