04.11.2026 19:21
The 2026 report published by the European Commission on Turkey has sparked a new controversy between Ankara and Brussels. While a harsh response came from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the assessments in the report, the emphasis on prejudice, double standards, and fairness stood out in Turkey's criticism of the EU. The Ministry rejected the claims in question, stating that some statements in the report did not reflect the truth.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to the assessments in the European Commission's 2026 Turkey Report. In the statement, it was stated that the claims regarding political criteria, the judiciary and fundamental rights were rejected, while it was expressed that the EU's approach to Turkey was prejudiced and far from fairness.
Following the publication of the European Commission's 2026 report on Turkey, a statement came from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry reacted to the assessments in the report and rejected the claims, especially in the fields of political criteria, the judiciary and fundamental rights. In the statement, it was argued that the attitude of some European Union (EU) officials toward Turkey was double-standard and inconsistent.
"A PREJUDICED AND UNFAIR ATTITUDE"
In the written statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was stated that the report prepared by the European Commission for Turkey within the scope of the 2026 Enlargement Package once again revealed the EU's approach to the country.
In the statement, the following expressions were used: "We reject the unfounded claims in the report, especially those in the areas of political criteria and the judiciary and fundamental rights. These accusations are a reflection of the double-standard approach of some European Union officials and their inconsistent, no-longer-credible mentality."
REACTION TO ASSESSMENTS ON CYPRUS AND THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
Noting that the report defended the theses of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side that were stated to be incompatible with international law, the Ministry reported that the legitimate rights and interests of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus were ignored.
In the statement, it was emphasized that if the EU adopts the Greek Cypriot side's position unconditionally in the Cyprus issue, it will not be possible for it to contribute to solution efforts.
In the statement, which stated that the assessments regarding the Eastern Mediterranean were also contrary to international law and the principle of fairness, it was noted that the expressions in the report regarding the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Turkey and Libya had no validity.
EXPECTATION FOR UPDATING THE CUSTOMS UNION REPEATED
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs positively assessed the report's findings regarding Turkey's progress in the economic and monetary policy fields, its well-functioning market economy, and its capacity to cope with competitive pressures within the European Union.
It was stated that the references to Turkey's role in connectivity, supply and value chain resilience, and in the fields of defense and security were also considered important, and the expectation regarding the updating of the Customs Union was once again expressed.
CALL ON THE EU FOR CONCRETE STEPS
In the statement, it was expressed that Turkey-EU relations should be shaped on the basis of common interests and a long-term vision instead of narrow political calculations and unilateral approaches.
In the statement, which noted that Turkey was ready to advance relations on the basis of mutual trust, respect and fairness, the EU was asked to turn the recently increasing dialogue into concrete decisions that would strengthen Turkey's membership perspective.