There is a frantic traffic in the EU before the EU Summit which will be convened today. The ministers of foreign affairs, which convened on 26 June, adopted critical decisions for the EU’s enlargement. While it was decided that negotiation talks could be started with Macedonia and Albania in June 2019 depending on the completion of necessary reforms, it was confirmed that Turkey is a candidate country and a key partner. Nowadays when the EU is determining on its structure for the 2020’s, Turkey needs to take steps urgently in order to not fall off the EU’s agenda.

At this crucial period, IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu issued a statement on the revitalisation of the EU process. Chairman Zeytinoğlu stated as follows:

“Nowadays, the EU is at a crossroad. On the one hand, there is a conflict between the Member States over migration and asylum. On the other hand, the reform efforts towards how the EU will take shape following Brexit are accelerating. Beside this, the EU also strengthened its perspective towards the Western Balkan countries.  Especially for Serbia and Montenegro, 2025 is pronounced as the date for accession. For Albania and Macedonia, membership negotiations will be starting in June 2019.  This means the EU is moving forward. Therefore, Turkey should also take the steps to revitalise the process without further loss of time in order to maintain its EU membership perspective.”

Chairman Zeytinoğlu touched upon the outcomes of the General Affairs Council Meeting which was held on 26 June:

“During the General Affairs Council Meeting, which was convened with enlargement agenda, Turkey was also discussed at length. The continuation of the relations with Turkey and strengthening cooperation on issues such as migration, security and fight with terrorism were emphasised. However, at the same time, it is stated that the negotiation process is at a deadlock and the opening of new chapters or starting the modernisation of the Customs Union are not considered. The EU has maintained its stance on this issue since the end of 2016. We, as IKV, express that the EU’s inability to provide a credible perspective for Turkey has brought the relations to this point, at all the meetings we hold in the EU Member States and Brussels. Turkey should also take steps in order to break the deadlocks in the relations with the EU. We are aware of the security issues our country is facing. We hope that the new government under the leadership of our President, who has received strong power from the public, will take the necessary steps to revitalise the EU process as soon as possible. We wish for the state of emergency to end and for the economic and political reforms to be brought back into the agenda quickly”.

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu touched upon the EU’s stance and while stating that it is unacceptable that the opening of the new chapters or starting the modernisation of the Customs Union are not being considered, finished his words as follows:

“The modernisation of the Customs Union, which Turkey has been conducting since 1996, is an issue that needs to be addressed urgently. Regarding this, the EU has been exercising political conditioning and the Commission has not been given the authorisation by the Council to initiate the process. Considering that even if the negotiations on this issue were to open it would last a year or two, it should be started without further loss of time. It is a must for the Customs Union relationship to continue healthfully and to be extended to new fields such as agricultural products and services. This process will not only benefit Turkey, but also the companies in the EU. In addition, the modernisation of Customs Union will create momentum for the progress of the relations through a positive agenda. We are expecting for the EU to start this process, instead of using it as a sanctioning tool against Turkey.”