Analysis of “2025 Türkiye Report” of the European Commission

Background of Türkiye’s Accession Road to the EU

The European Union has accepted Türkiye’s official accession road on 3 October 2005. The negotiations are dividing under 35 different chapters. Since 2005, Türkiye has met the opening requirements of 16 chapters and opened them for discussion within the EU. Nevertheless, only one chapter of them has provisionally closed (Chapter 25 – Science and Research) which means Türkiye has performed technical alignment for this chapter has been completed; however, membership cannot occur until all chapters are closed. 8 different chapter has been suspended by 2006 decisions of the Council of the European Union, and 6 chapter has been unilaterally blocked by the Greek Cyprus Administration of Southern Cyprus in 2009 by political reasons. Other 5 chapters are neither opened nor blocked.

It can be stated quite clearly that Türkiye's full membership in the European Union is as impossible as threading a camel through the eye of a needle. Over the years, especially the failed military coup attempts in Türkiye on July 15, 2016, and the subsequent – ​​as the European Union claims – undemocratic and unfair behaviour of the government, have slowed down Türkiye's membership process.

Democratic Backsliding

The report openly discusses that presidential system in Türkiye which was adopted in the 2017 referendum, transformed into an authoritarian system. The European Commission quite criticizes the undemocratic acts against elected politicians in Türkiye, especially Ekrem İmamoğlu’s taken into custody on 19 March 2025 who is a Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Moreover, the arrest of 28 mayors elected from opposition parties and dozens of local officials, as well as the replacement of 11 mayors with government-appointed trustees, are other indicators of democratic decline in Türkiye, according to the report. In addition, the Commission supports the process of “Terror-free Türkiye” but rejects lack of timely and decisive action part of the Turkish government. Lastly, another behavior that runs counter to Turkish democracy is the continued persecution and suppression of journalists and independent media. Finally, the European Commission underlines that Türkiye does not care about fighting against corruption at all.

Report of Human Rights

The most important criticizing is Türkiye’s report on the human rights. The European Commission remarks Türkiye’s performance on the deterioration human rights. Also, concern about the women’s rights, gender-based violence, lack of protection of LGBTI+ persons in Türkiye. It clearly criticizes the double standards in Turkish judiciary and exhorts Türkiye to implementing the decisions of European Court of Human Rights.

Cyprus issue

Cyprus debate was the reason of blocking some chapters against Türkiye by Greek Cyprus Administration of Southern Cyprus in 2009. Solving the Cyprus issue between two states can be a point of continuation of the Türkiye’s accession road to the European Union. The European Commission supports Türkiye and Greece for open and constructive dialogue at government level. Finally, within the UN framework, the European Commission reiterates its firm belief that the only way to address the Cyprus issue is through a fair, comprehensive, viable, and democratic solution based on a bi-communal, bi- zonal federation with a single international legal personality, sovereignty, nationality, and political equality.

Geo-strategic and Geo-political Importance of Türkiye

Even though the report is full of criticism of Türkiye’s government, also the European Commission points out Türkiye’s importance as a partner in every field. Türkiye is the 4th most powerful military nation in NATO and 2nd in Europe after France as the United Kingdom excluded in this scenario. The European Union might see Türkiye as external partner of a potential “European Army” as breakdown of NATO in last years. The report mentions Türkiye’s geo-strategic and geo-political importance under changing foreign policy of US and its activities. Also, the European Commission appreciates Türkiye for hosting millions of refuges in it. It underlines Türkiye being the EU’s fifth largest trading partner and the EU being Türkiye’s largest trading partner, has rich resources and has great geo-economic potential for transportation.

The Gap Between Turkish Government’s Claims and Reality

The report underlines that the speeches of Turkish government do not change anything if it will not put into practice. The European Commission is deeply saddened and disappointed that, despite expressing its expectations on the path to membership, Türkiye has failed to realize any of them. The report states that modernization of EU customs unions, including the customs union with Türkiye, is needed. In addition, the European Commission regrets Türkiye’s alignment with CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy) as a record low of %4 in 2025 which was %6 in 2024. Lastly, the report underlines a need of taking some actions of Türkiye for continuation of gradual Schengen visa framework for Turkish citizens.

REFERENCES

• 2025 Commission report on Türkiye https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2024_2029/plmrep/COMMITTEES/AFET/PR/2026/02-25/1334080EN.pdf

• Accession Negotitations, DIRECTORATE FOR EU AFFAIRS https://www.ab.gov.tr/37_en.html