02.04.2025 14:50
Marta Kos, the European Commission's Member responsible for Enlargement, announced that she canceled her participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and her meeting with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, citing the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu as the reason. Ekrem İmamoğlu expressed his gratitude to the European Commission.
Yesterday, the European Parliament (EP) held a plenary session in Strasbourg, France, on the topic of "Democratic Pressures in Turkey and the Arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu." Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, who spoke during the session, announced that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was suspended from his duties, canceled his participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and his meeting with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to protest his arrest.
"LEGAL INTERVENTION RAISED SERIOUS QUESTIONS"
Kos emphasized Turkey's EU candidacy process, stating that they expect Turkey to comply with democratic norms and standards. She remarked that İmamoğlu's "legal intervention while preparing to be a presidential candidate raised serious questions" and called for no intervention in protest demonstrations. Highlighting Turkey's NATO membership and geopolitical importance, Kos stated that cutting relations with Turkey would not benefit anyone. She stressed that Turkey is a strategic partner and highlighted the importance of continuing cooperation.
KPK MEETING ALSO CANCELED
Emmanouil Kefalogiannis, the Chair of the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee (KPK) from the EP side, stated that they could not remain silent about developments in Turkey and announced the cancellation of the KPK meeting planned for April 14-15 this year. Nacho Sanchez Amor, the EP's Turkey Rapporteur, expressed that Turkey is regressing instead of progressing on its EU path and reminded that the democratic criteria set by the EU must be adhered to. Amor also welcomed the European Commission's decision not to participate in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Dutch parliamentarian Malik Azmani, speaking on behalf of the Liberal Group, criticized the EU's silence regarding developments in Turkey, while Slovenian MP Vladimir Prebilic from the Greens Group stated that a clear message should be sent to Turkey. No binding decisions were made at the end of the session.
THANKS FROM İMAMOĞLU
Ekrem İmamoğlu, the IMM Mayor who was arrested and suspended as part of an ongoing "corruption" investigation, thanked Marta Kos and Eurocities President Dario Nardella. In a statement he published on the social media platform X, İmamoğlu said: "From Silivri Prison: A Message to Europe and Turkey. The path to democracy in Turkey is being tested, but the will of the people has not been broken. Today, the European Parliament spoke. Voices from across the political spectrum united to defend democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Turkey. As a member of the Council of Europe and a country in the EU accession process, our country must respect its commitments. Democracy cannot be selective—neither à la carte nor Turkish style (French saying: ne à la carte, ne de à la turca). Democracy must be complete, real, and unshakeable. I thank Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, and my dear friend (Eurocities President) Dario Nardella, along with other members of the European Parliament, for their solidarity with our cause and for recognizing the courage of millions of young people who stand up for a brighter future. Your resilience and hope are my strength. The future of Turkey will belong to those who strive for peace, justice, and freedom. And I am here, with all my heart, by your side."
THE EP HAD ALSO MET IN FEBRUARY TO END THE TRUSTEE PRACTICE
On February 13, 2025, the European Parliament, in another session regarding Turkey held in Strasbourg, accepted a resolution titled "Mayors Removed and Arrested in Turkey." This resolution condemned the arbitrary removal of mayors elected through democratic means and noted that Ekrem İmamoğlu is also facing similar legal and political pressures. The EP stated that the trustee practice should be ended and that judicial reform should be carried out in line with the recommendations of the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission.