Turkish diplomacy accuses the EU of taking illegal, unrealistic, and maximalist positions, asserting, "The EU has no say in the resolution of the Cyprus issue."
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticized the EU's unfair and biased approach toward Ankara in response to the European Commission's report on Turkey.
"While the 2023 report on Turkey marks the 25th report by the Commission on Turkey, the EU's unfair and biased approach toward our country is of concern for the future of our continent, which faces numerous threats," notes the Turkish Foreign Ministry. In response, the Ministry addresses each of the EU's objections chapter by chapter.
Specifically, concerning the sections related to Cyprus, the Aegean, and the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkish diplomacy accuses the EU of adopting illegal, unrealistic, and maximalist positions. Regarding the Cyprus issue, Turkey maintains that the European Union has no authority, and its positions are without value and non-binding for Turkey.
The announcement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry states, "The sections of the report on the Eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean, and Cyprus, as usual, reflect the illegal, unrealistic, and maximalist positions of the Greek Cypriot/Greek side. This ongoing exclusionary attitude ignores the fair policies of our country and the 'TRDB' (referring to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) and treats the rights of the Turkish Cypriots as non-existent. Once again, it reveals the discriminatory and unfair stance of the EU under the guise of solidarity. We emphasize that the Cyprus resolution process involves the two parties on the island, the three guarantor countries and the United Nations Organization. The EU's role in previous processes was limited to observer status with the consent of the involved parties, and it does not influence anyway. It should now be understood that the EU's statements on a possible Cyprus solution, which unconditionally support the Greek Cypriot positions, hold no value or binding authority for Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side and instead hinder the resolution process."
Turkey also accuses the EU of being on the wrong side of history in the Israel-Hamas conflict, commends the EU's criticism, and emphasizes that universal values and humanitarian principles should apply to the Middle East as well. "We appreciate the criticism in the report, stating that our country's position on the Hamas-Israel conflict is entirely inconsistent with the EU. We feel the need to remind the EU, which, in the face of a civilian massacre in the 21st century, takes a stance that seems to belong to a bygone era, that policies based on universal values, international law, and humanitarian principles should extend not only to Ukraine or any other European region but to the entire world, including the Middle East."
Regarding the political criteria and Turkey's perceived inadequacy in addressing them, the report claims, Ankara notes, "We completely reject the unfounded allegations and unfair criticisms in the report, especially in the chapters related to political criteria, as well as the judicial system and fundamental rights. Despite our efforts, chapters 23 on Justice and Fundamental Rights and 24 on Justice, Freedom, and Security have remained unopened since 2009 due to the political obstruction of a member state. Making baseless claims against our country on numerous issues related to fundamental rights, which even among member states are a subject of controversy, reveals the EU's inconsistent double standards approach."
Source: Skai
