Türkiye slams EU for lack of vision, rejects pressure on Cyprus

Despite discussing enhanced relations with Türkiye as a candidate country at the European Union Leaders Summit on April 17-18, the EU maintained its existing stance on Türkiye. This indicates that the unresolved issues between Ankara and Brussels persist.

Even though the recent EU summit's decisions are being portrayed as progress toward Türkiye's membership, significant hurdles remain. This sentiment was echoed in a critical statement from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry's statement criticized the conclusions reached by the Special European Council, calling them "yet another example of the EU's lack of strategic vision on Türkiye and the global developments." 

"It is contradictory that the Council did not take any decisions on the recommendations of the Joint Communication on EU-Türkiye Relations prepared by the High Representative Borrell and the Commission, although the Council Conclusions emphasize that the EU has a strategic interest in developing a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Türkiye," the statement added. 

The ministry reiterated Türkiye's determination to join the EU. However, it firmly declared that any impositions regarding the Cyprus issue would be unacceptable.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs