European Parliament calls on Commission to suspend Turkey’s EU membership

The European Parliament has expressed serious concern that in recent years, despite being a candidate country, the Turkish government has pursued a continued and growing distance from EU values ​​and standards, according to its report on the membership process.

The report was adopted with 480 votes in favor, 64 against and 150 abstentions, out of a total of 694 voters.

The report called on the Commission to recommend, “in accordance with the negotiating framework of October 2005, the formal suspension of the accession negotiations with Turkey, so that the two sides can discuss in a realistic manner and in the framework of a structured dialogue and global high level, the adequacy of the current framework and its capacity to function or, if necessary, to explore possible new models for future relations ”.

The EP notes that “unilateral actions in the Eastern Mediterranean as well as strong and sometimes provocative statements against the EU and its Member States have brought EU-Turkey relations to an all-time low, having deteriorated to such an extent that they oblige the two parties to re-evaluate in depth the current state of these relations and their framework, in order to restore the dialogue in a context of mutual trust and cooperation and to effectively resolve the root causes of the current conflicts.

The EP is deeply concerned that, over the years, Turkey’s lack of progress in convergence has turned into a complete withdrawal, marked by a sharp regression in three main areas: the decline from the rule of law and fundamental rights, the adoption of regressive institutional measures. reforms and the pursuit of a foreign policy of confrontation and hostility, including towards the EU and its Member States, in particular Greece and Cyprus.

Regarding Cyprus, the report notes that the EP “is deeply concerned by the unprecedented illegal behavior of Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean carried out by an EU candidate country against EU member states, and by the security risks and of stability resulting from it ”

It “strongly condemns Turkey’s illegal activities in Greek and Cypriot waters, as well as its violations of Greek national airspace, including overflights of inhabited areas, and its territorial sea, which violate both sovereignty and the sovereign rights of an EU member state and international law. “

The EP “expresses its full solidarity with Greece and the Republic of Cyprus; reaffirms the right of the Republic of Cyprus to conclude bilateral agreements on its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and to explore and exploit its natural resources with full respect for relevant international law. “