The Turkish Foreign Ministry has expressed satisfaction with the report’s “correct and realistic” approach to the enlargement of the European Union (EU), particularly with regard to Turkey’s status as a candidate country. This report, resulting from the annual conclusions of the General Affairs Council of the EU, recognizes the essential role of Türkiye in this process.
Türkiye welcomed the resumption of high-level economic dialogue meetings, as well as the return of the European Investment Bank to its territory. The ministry specifically welcomed the report’s recognition of the country’s macroeconomic policy progress. A major point of satisfaction for Ankara is the reciprocity of measures taken to resolve trade problems linked to the customs union.
The report also mentions recognition of Turkish efforts to ease tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and Turkish initiatives in the Russian-Ukrainian war. Ankara sees this as a sign of the EU’s honest approach. However, Türkiye strongly rejects assessments regarding its domestic policies, calling these views non-objective.
Furthermore, Türkiye criticizes the fact that the report repeats the positions it considers unrealistic of Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus. Ankara deplores that the concerns of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are being ignored and calls for fair recognition of the rights of Turkish Cypriots to facilitate a solution on the island.
Finally, Türkiye reaffirms that its membership in the EU remains a strategic objective, hoping that a new vision could strengthen this perspective. Ankara emphasizes the need to abolish the 2019 EU Council decision that limits EU-Türkiye relations, with a view to promoting dialogue and cooperation in various sectors, including politics, energy and transport.
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