IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu assessed the 22^nd Turkey Report and the Enlargement Package adopted on 6 October by the European Commission. While emphasizing the report’s significance for underscoring that Turkey’s EU accession process was ongoing as well as Turkey’s role as a key partner, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu stated that the recommendations, identified shortcomings and progress in the report should be carefully examined.

Stating that there is an unbalanced and unfair rhetoric concerning the Eastern Mediterranean and Turkish foreign policy, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu urged the EU to reconsider its approach towards Turkey. Indicating that Turkey was the most important link in the EU’s enlargement strategy, Zeytinoğlu said that it was unacceptable that Turkey’s rightful views regarding the resolution of the Cyprus question and the Aegean issues were disregarded by the EU. Stating that the European Commission should act as a facilitator and a mediator in this process, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu indicated that the fact that Turkey’s EU accession negotiations which had been ongoing for 15 years did not result in EU membership was not just Turkey’s fault, but more the EU’s fault. He made the following remarks concerning the report:

“The European Commission released its country reports for Turkey and other candidate and potential candidate countries. As known, these reports are documents that take a picture of the current situation as regards alignment with the Copenhagen political and economic criteria and the EU acquis, as well as presenting a to do list to be fulfilled until the next report. Given the fact that Turkey’s status as a candidate country negotiating accession has become less pronounced by EU officials, Turkey’s EU membership objective coming to the EU’s agenda is important. We would expect the report to put forward proposals for the revitalisation of Turkey’s accession process. Criticising Turkey in the areas of judiciary and fundamental rights while the relevant chapters remain blocked due to the veto of the Greek Cypriot Administration erodes the EU’s credibility and undermines not only Turkey-EU relations, but also the enlargement process as a whole.”

The Initiative Put Forward at the European Council Should Be Continued

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu stressed that according to the report, Turkey continued to advance in assuming the obligations of membership albeit in a limited number of areas. IKV Chairman stated that the report pointed to shortcomings in areas such as democracy, judiciary and fundamental rights. Indicating that report referred 26 times to the phrase “backsliding”, 38 times to “no progress”, 33 times to “some progress” and 8 times to “good progress”, Zeytinoğlu added that it also contained criticism concerning economic performance and foreign policy issues. IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu pointed out that especially in the post-COVID-19 period Turkey was of indispensable importance for the EU as a production hub and a trade partner. He highlighted the importance of the Customs Union modernisation process as a means to realise the full potential of the relationship.

Indicating that criticisms against Turkey’s hydrocarbon exploration in Greek Cypriot Administration’s unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone was unacceptable, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu said that the rights of the Turkish Cypriots were ignored. Zeytinoğlu also stated that the criticisms regarding Turkish foreign policy towards Libya and Syria were based on an unrealistic and unfair approach. Conveying his expectation that the EU would restore its relations with Turkey and open the door to cooperation with Turkey to ensure peace and stability in the region, IKV Chairman recalled the conclusions of European Council meeting of 1-2 October 2020. He continued as follows:

“The European Council held on 1-2 October has been marked with a change in approach to Turkey; thus the importance of a relationship based on cooperation and mutual benefits with Turkey has been acknowledged. As a matter of fact, it was agreed to create a positive political agenda which will include the modernisation of the Customs Union, trade facilitation, increasing people to people contacts, high level dialogue mechanisms and continued cooperation on migration. However, in the Turkey Report released today, there are several areas where we see traces of an unconstructive and unilateral attitude. Such attitude reveals itself while ignoring TRNC's rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and addressing the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus issues solely from the Greek Cypriot Administration’s perspective, as well as not recognizing Turkey’s efforts of stabilisation as a key EU partner in a region well characterised with high tensions. On the other hand, Turkey should take into consideration criticisms in concerning rule of law, fundamental rights, democracy, and judicial independence. 

One should emphasize that issues brought on the table under the positive agenda are processes which have already seen progress, but were interrupted for various reasons. The modernisation of the Customs Union and fulfilling the outstanding benchmarks for visa liberalisation are crucial not only for putting Turkey-EU relations back on track, but also for the welfare of Turkish citizens.”

Stating that the report published by the European Commission is no longer awaited with enthusiasm, the IKV Chairman stressed that this lack of enthusiasm had to do with the current stalemate in the relations. Zeytinoğlu continued as follows:

“It is known to everyone that the accession process reached an impasse and no new chapter has been opened since 2016. In the 2020 Turkey Report, the areas which are highly criticised and are referred to as backsliding fall within the scope of Chapters 23 and 24. However, these chapters have been blocked by the Greek Cypriot Administration and therefore cannot be opened to negotiations. The EU could benefit from a sustained membership perspective highlighting EU’s transformative power.”

Stating that Turkey-EU relations, which have been developing around negative rhetoric and actions in recent years, were not beneficial for either of the parties, the IKV Chairman underlined the importance of cooperation in order to overcome current challenges as stressed in the report. Saying that both parties were going through extraordinary times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the importance of solidarity, Zeytinoğlu argued that this spirit of solidarity and cooperation should be reflected more in the relations, and said:

“While talking about a positive agenda, EU leaders should also revive communication channels between the parties. A political approach based on punishing Turkey causes backsliding also in current achievements. The absence of high-level meetings between the parties either in the form of Turkey-EU Summits or Association Council meetings seemingly serves to deepening the misunderstandings between the parties. However, strong diplomatic and business ties between Turkey and the EU are also key for overcoming the challenges regarding bilateral relations, regional issues, as well as unforeseen global threats.”

Stating that the report appreciates Turkey's generous efforts regarding the handling of the refugees since 2016, Zeytinoğlu argued that refugee issue should also be considered in the context of the visa liberalisation process, and that the EU should not create new barriers for Turkey in the process.

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu concluded his remarks by saying that Turkey should return to its reform agenda, taking into account the criticisms mentioned by the European Commission, which will contribute to the quality of life of our citizens, and said:

"There are many issues in Turkey-EU relations that need to be overcome, but focusing on our common future is our shared historical responsibility. In the aftermath of the pandemic, rapid digitalisation or transition to a green economy reveals a new lifestyle by radically changing production and consumption patterns. Turkey will continue to be part of the EU tomorrow as it is today, and therefore should not give up its efforts to be part of the transformation in EU policies. Likewise, the EU while designing its future and policies should work in cooperation and dialogue with Turkey which is an EU candidate, and a prospective member country.”