Reacting to the European Commission’s latest progress report on Turkiye, the country’s Foreign Ministry categorically rejected what it called the “biased, prejudiced, and baseless allegations regarding the judiciary, fundamental rights, and domestic political developments”. “The content in question is not only incompatible with efforts to advance a positive agenda between Turkiye and the EU, but also runs counter to the long-term interests of both sides,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on its website.
On November 4, the European Commission presented its annual reports on the progress of the countries aspiring to accede the European Union. The documents assess the advancement of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Turkiye, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia on their path toward EU membership. The report on Turkiye says that while the country remains a candidate country and key partner for the EU, the deterioration of democratic standards, judicial independence, and fundamental rights has yet to be addressed.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in its reaction:
“The level of alignment with the EU acquis presented in the Report, despite the political and unjust obstacles we have faced in the accession process, is the strongest expression of our commitment to the strategic goal of EU membership.
“We consider the emphasis in the Report on Turkiye’s high level of alignment with a functioning market economy and its sound macroeconomic policies as positive and accurate findings.
“We note with satisfaction that the Report refers to Turkiye’s constructive approach in the Eastern Mediterranean, the improvement in relations with Greece, and the increased dialogue with the EU. In light of these positive developments, we once again underline our legitimate expectation for the immediate lifting of the Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions of 15 July 2019.
“We also consider positively the references to Turkiye’s active and multi-layered foreign policy vision, its dedicated efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships, and its constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability. Likewise, we find it noteworthy that the Report emphasizes Turkiye’s strategic importance for the EU in the face of regional and global challenges, as well as the responsibilities in areas of common interest. In this context, it is important to ensure the functioning of the association organs and established mechanisms between Turkiye and the EU, and to actively involve Turkiye in the EU’s initiatives and programs in the field of defense and security.
“As always, the inclusion in the Report of the unrealistic, unlawful, and maximalist views of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side, while disregarding the legitimate concerns of Turkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, once again proves that the EU takes sides on the Cyprus issue and that it cannot contribute to settlement efforts of the issue.
“It is of vital importance that the EU conducts its relations with Turkiye within the framework of the principle of pacta sunt servanda, with an approach that strengthens the membership perspective, refrains from policies and rhetoric that lead to deadlock, and maintains an impartial position without allowing the relations to be taken hostage by bilateral issues.
“Developing a stronger, more institutionalized, and mutually trust-based cooperation between Turkiye and the EU is in the interest of both Turkiye and Europe, as well as our wider region.
“Turkiye resolutely continues its efforts with this understanding and vision, and expects the EU to demonstrate the same strategic will and constructive approach.” Turkiye Rejects Rule-of-Law Findings in European Commission’s Progress Report THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2025-11-05 06:48:33 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law