The report, which probably has the most critical tone to the situation in Turkey, reflects the European Parliament’s most serious concerns about what has happened, especially in the field of human rights and the rule of law, over the past two years. The report highlights tensions in EU-Turkey relations over the reversal of the rule of law, constitutional and institutional reforms, and its foreign policy which is being pursued against EU members, and bringing Turkey’s relations with the EU to an all-time low level. The report emphasizes the need for an in-depth assessment of relations by the parties in order to re-establish dialogue and resolve problems.

MEPs call on the European Commission to formally suspend Turkey’s EU membership talks if there is no change in Turkey’s domestic and foreign policies, and to consider possible new models for future relations if necessary. They believe that Turkey is an ally that is of strategic importance for the stability of the region, and the European Union wants to have the best possible relations everywhere, including in the NATO, but Turkey’s current policies prevent it from establishing positive relations with that country. Turkey must bring its anti-terrorism law in line with international standards. On the other hand, the EU sees strategic coordination and constructive cooperation with Turkey in many areas in line with the interests of the Union.

Members of the European Parliament have expressed concern over Turkey’s security measures and condemned the PKK terrorist group, but at the same time claim that the Kurdish issue has received less attention than it should. The report condemned Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention and expressed concern about “strengthening the authoritarian interpretation of the presidential system”, “statements on electoral reform” and “political polarization” in Turkey.

The positive point of this report is that the role of Turkey in coordinating and integrating asylum seekers and hosting about 4 million asylum seekers is praised and continuation of EU assistance to asylum seekers is emphasized. According to the European Parliament, Turkey, as an independent state, can pursue a foreign policy commensurate with its interests, but as a candidate for EU membership, it should aim to coordinate with the EU’s foreign policy and to resolve issues such as the Eastern Mediterranean issue and Cyprus it must use the method of dialogue and diplomacy. The Parliament has called on Turkey to play a more active role in the success of negotiations with the European Union and its member states on Cyprus, and criticized Turkey’s policies in Syria, Libya and Karabakh.

Members of the European Parliament have called on Turkey for a constructive dialogue with the European Union and called on the European Union to continue monitoring all dialogue processes and called on the European Union to use its tools against that country, including sanctions, if this does not happen and if Turkey continues its unilateral measures. They stressed the need to bring about overall improvement in relations, the use of respectful language by both sides, combating the existing prejudices and misunderstandings, and providing an impartial assessment of the parties by the public opinion of the two sides.

As expected, the European Parliament’s move met with a sharp reaction from Turkey. According to Turkey, at a time when efforts are being made to revive relations between Turkey and the European Union within the framework of a positive program and based on the prospect of the EU membership, accepting the recent recommendation is one-sided and far from the truth and is not acceptable at all. The report contains false claims about human rights, democracy, the rule of law, governance and political parties in Turkey, and considers Turkey’s effective, solution-oriented, humanitarian and entrepreneurial foreign policy as threats, and reflects the completely unfair and biased claims of Greece and Greek Cyprus on the Aegean case, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Cyprus issue. The events of 1915 also include prejudices based on the one-sided and inconsistent Armenian claims. As a candidate country for EU membership, Turkey expects the EU to conduct constructive studies on how to improve relations and assist in the EU accession process, instead of creating a process for baseless and blatant accusations against Turkey.

Undoubtedly, the report of the European Parliament shows a sharp decline in the level of relations between Turkey and the EU, but Turkey considers its membership in the European Union as a strategic goal. It is envisaged that if the current negative trend does not change, the European Parliament should formally suspend Turkey’s EU membership talks. Unilateral actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as provocative statements against the Union and its member states, have pushed EU-Turkey relations to a new level in recent years.

Despite such a heavy atmosphere in Turkey’s relations with the European Union, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: It is clear that without the help and support of Turkey, it is not possible to continue the life of the European Union effectively and usefully. Despite obstacles and double standards, Ankara is determined to continue its strong efforts towards the strategic goal of EU membership. The EU lacks strategic vision and patience, and this is the EU’s biggest obstacle to becoming a powerful global player. Financial and economic problems and the spread of the Coronavirus have become a challenge for Europe. The refugee crisis, Islamophobia, xenophobia and Britain’s withdrawal from the Union are important issues that threaten the Union’s future. The EU needs, first and foremost, an in-depth look at the organizational structure, clarifying the vision, creating a new inclusive discourse and redesigning decision-making mechanisms. Erdogan even claims that the European Union will collapse without Turkey!

The main weakness and Achilles heel of the European Union against Turkey is the issue of refugees and asylum seekers. About 4 to 5 million refugees from several countries, especially from Syria, live in Turkey, and most of them are seeking to immigrate to the European Union. If Turkey does not take action, at least a few hundred thousand of them could leave for Greece, Italy, Bulgaria and other countries.

Turkey’s insistence on the separation and independence of the Turkish Cypriots and the establishment of two states on the island of Cyprus is also one of the most important differences between Turkey and the EU, and evidence shows that the idea of ​​establishing an independent state for Turkish Cypriots is not supported by EU members. And the dispute will remain strong!