Re-election of Tayyip Erdogan as President Türkiye it doesn’t seem to leave much room for European Union rather than consider one new relationship with Ankara on a possibly more realistic basisbut which certainly will not lead her inside.

At the same time, they advocate draft report of the European Parliament released today, five days after the second round of elections in Turkey with the Spanish speaker Nacho Sánchez Amor of the Eurogroup of Socialists, as well as the recent position of the head of the European People’s Party, Manfred Weber, who in his interview, in fact, put a “tombstone” on Turkey’s European perspective, while offering to start discussions on the basis of a more “realistic” relationship with Ankara.

Draft report prepared by Mr. Sanchez Amor and which will be discussed for the first time in the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) next Monday.

Among other things, the Spanish MEP proposes to start reflection procedures in order to find “an alternative and realistic framework for relations with Turkey that will replace its path of accession“. For this reason he calls her Commission explore new possible forms.

“Unfair elections”

In his assessment, the project rapporteur refers to the recent elections in Turkey, for which “the peaceful nature of the participation of Turkish citizens in the process is recognized and wide participation is welcomed”, but at the same time, based on the report of the OSCE observers, the Spanish MEP notes that the elections were not held on the basis of “equal competition” and that they were affected by, among other things, the lack of fundamental freedoms, which were “sufficiently limited” by the existing legal framework and practice, as well as the “undue advantage” enjoyed by the ruling parties.

In his report, the Spanish MEP also expresses concern about democratic regression, serious restrictions on fundamental freedoms and human rights, and an excessive concentration of power in the person of the Turkish president, which, as he points out, has undermined the country’s democratic institutions.

I wonder what the speaker came to the conclusion that “the Turkish government is not interested in narrowing the gap separating it from the EU. in relation to European values“. He also emphasizes complete lack of will to continue the necessary reforms, which, in fact, will “answer” the concerns of the EU. about the violation of the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, the rights of the LGBTI community, violations that generally and clearly negatively affect the process of its integration.

However, the speaker welcomes the mediating role of Ankara between Moscow and Kiev in ensuring the export of Ukrainian grain. calls on the Turkish authorities to take measures so that sanctions against Russia cannot be circumvented through Turkey.

At the same time, it emphasizes Ankara is preventing Sweden from joining NATO and is calling on the Turkish authorities to fulfill their commitments to a “more constructive relationship” with NATO. and ratify the accession of the Scandinavian country to the North Atlantic Alliance.

Referring indirectly to Greece, the report expresses hope that after the February earthquakes “a new era will dawn” in Turkey’s relations with all EU member states, while confirming support for a solution to the Cyprus issue on the basis of a bi-zone agreement. and a bicommunal federation, as formulated in the June 2022 resolution.

In addition, the report emphasizes that respect for human rights and the rule of law must remain at the heart of good neighborly relations between the EU and the EU. and Turkey, and that the context of these relations should be governed by international law.

“The accession process has already lost its purpose”

Reflecting the conviction of all European institutions, the Spanish MEP emphasizes the strategic importance of the relationship with Ankara, however stating that “in the absence of a radical change in the course of the Turkish government, Turkey’s accession process has lost its purpose and will not last long“. For this reason, it is proposed to initiate a reflection process in order to “find an alternative and more realistic context in relations with the EU. – Türkiye“, which will replace the accession process. At the same time, he calls on the Commission to “explore other schemes” of another integration process.

Draft report ends with her support the prospect of modernizing the EU-Turkey Customs Union, which, as emphasized, should be based on democratic integrity and respect for the aforementioned principles. In addition, the speaker suggests continue the visa liberalization process if Türkiye fulfills the relevant conditions.