Debate: - Reports on Turkey
Date: TUESDAY, 18 MAY 2021
Speaker: Augusto Santos Silva
Language: EN

We take note of the clear messages and the grave concerns expressed in your resolution, many of which the Council shares. One of the Council’s key concerns, and one which you also have highlighted on many occasions, is the ever-worsening domestic situation in Turkey regarding the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights. The targeting of political parties and media, and other recent decisions taken by the Turkish authorities represent major setbacks for human rights and run counter to the country’s obligations to respect democracy, the rule of law and women’s rights.  Let me assure you that many other issues referred to in your report, such as the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, the implementation of the EU—Turkey statement and the proper functioning of the Customs Union, are also being followed closely. This similarly goes for the Cyprus problem and Turkey’s role in regional crises such as those in Libya, Syria and the Southern Caucasus.  We have noted your repeated call for a formal suspension of the accession negotiations with Turkey. On this point, let me just recall that the Council already in its June 2018 enlargement conclusions noted that Turkey continued to move further away from the European Union. The Council noted that Turkey’s accession negotiations have, as a result, effectively come to a standstill. The Council has not changed its position on this.  In our view, it remains important, as you also note in your report, that we do not close the door to Turkey. The EU has a strategic interest in the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey. I refer in particular to the common challenges we face and the need to cooperate in essential areas of joint interest such as the economy, people-to-people contacts and mobility, public health, climate and counter-terrorism, regional issues and migration management.  Regarding the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, we have recently witnessed signs of de-escalation, including the discontinuation of illegal drilling activities. The resumption of bilateral talks between Greece and Turkey is a further encouraging sign, which we hope can contribute to a more stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean.  Precisely on this basis, the Members of the European Council in March expressed a readiness to engage with Turkey in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner to enhance cooperation in a number of areas of common interest under the clear proviso that the current de-escalation is sustained, that Turkey engages constructively and subject to the established conditionalities set out in previous European Council conclusions.  The leaders also confirmed the Union’s determination to use the instruments and options at its disposal to defend the interests of the Union and of its Member States and to uphold regional stability. These and other matters relating to EU-Turkey relations are being followed and discussed by the European Council. Its next discussion on the subject is expected to take place in June. As Presidency, we will continue to do our utmost to convince Turkey to do its part and fulfil its commitments.