Türkiye on Wednesday strongly condemned the European Parliament’s (EP) 2023–2024 Report on Türkiye, denouncing it as a document filled with "distorted, prejudiced and baseless allegations" that undermine bilateral ties and fuel anti-Türkiye narratives.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry rejected the report in a written statement, saying, “We reject the unfounded assessments of an institution that provides propaganda grounds for terrorist organizations and the groups that have made anti-Türkiye sentiments their raison d'etre, on the political dynamics in our country, our foreign policy and the visit of our President to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”
The ministry urged the European Parliament to act responsibly moving forward: “In the coming period, we expect the EP to fulfill its responsibilities to ensure that our relations with the EU, including our accession process, continue on the basis of mutual benefit.”
The report, adopted by MEPs on May 7, criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), labeling it an “illegal visit.”
It also repeated longstanding criticisms of Ankara over human rights and democratic governance, specifically citing the arrest of former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Although the report acknowledged Türkiye’s “strategic and geopolitical importance” and its growing influence in regions vital to international security, it simultaneously called for the country’s EU accession process—formally ongoing since 1999—to remain frozen.