Turkey accuses European Parliament of giving platform to terrorist groups after report condemns democratic backsliding and violations against Greece

The European Parliament approved its 2025 annual report on Turkey on 17 June 2026, with 381 votes in favour, 107 against and 171 abstentions. The text catalogues a steep democratic decline, the weaponisation of the judiciary against opposition parties, and continuing violations of the sovereign rights of EU member states Greece and Cyprus.

For381

Against107

Abstained171

For

381 votes

Against

107 votes

Abstained

171 votes

Data from the article text

A damning indictment

The report, drafted by Spanish socialist MEP Nacho Sánchez Amor, concludes that Turkey’s accession negotiations, stalled since 2018, cannot be restarted under current conditions. It accuses Ankara of moving rapidly towards a fully authoritarian model, citing the prosecution of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the jailing of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

“Turkey continues to move rapidly towards a fully authoritarian model. The recent case targeting the main opposition party, the CHP, and its legitimate leadership is the most recent example of a broader erosion of democratic pluralism and the rule of law, highlighting the role of a judiciary being used as a weapon for political purposes.”

Blue Homeland and violations of sovereignty

The resolution strongly condemns Turkey’s promotion of the “Blue Homeland” doctrine and its repeated infringement of the sovereign rights of Greece and Cyprus. MEPs expressed deep concern over the maintenance of a casus belli against Greece, describing it as incompatible with relations between allies and good neighbours.

Call for sanctions

For the first time, the report urges the EU’s High Representative, Kaja Kallas, to examine targeted sanctions against Turkish officials responsible for human rights violations, effectively singling out the justice minister. The text also criticises other EU institutions and several member states for their muted reaction to the democratic backsliding.

Ankara’s furious rebuttal

Turkey’s foreign ministry responded within hours, rejecting the report as based on “baseless allegations and disinformation from circles hostile to our country.” It accused the parliament of acting on a deliberate political agenda that reflects the ideological dogmas of certain MEPs and of providing a platform to terrorist organisations.

“We categorically reject the distortion of legal processes conducted by the independent Turkish judiciary and the targeting of our Minister of Justice with baseless allegations.”

Ankara also insisted that the Turkish judiciary, a fundamental pillar of state sovereignty, is not open to any intervention from international institutions or political circles. It called on the European Parliament to adopt a constructive approach that advances relations on the basis of mutual interests, especially at a time of mounting global challenges.

A frozen accession but a strategic partnership

While the accession track remains frozen, the report reiterates the call for a closer, more dynamic strategic partnership with Turkey in areas of mutual interest, acknowledging the country’s geopolitical importance and its NATO membership. However, MEPs stressed that no progress is possible without genuine reforms on rule of law, fundamental freedoms and press freedom.