In the Turkish capital city of Ankara, Hakan Fidan, Turkey's foreign minister, reaffirmed his nation's commitment to joining the European Union (EU) and urged the 27-member bloc to adopt bold measures to facilitate Turkey's entry.
During a joint news conference with Oliver Varhelyi, the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Fidan made these remarks as the two nations sought to reconcile strained relations and reignite discussions regarding Turkey's EU membership.
Turkey Calls for Bold Steps
In his speech, Minister Fidan emphasized Turkey's integral involvement in the global ambitions of the European Union.
"The European Union cannot be a global actor without Turkey," he argued. "It is of the utmost importance that the path to Turkey's EU membership is cleared and the outlook for membership is revitalized. We expect them to demonstrate the determination necessary to advance our relations and to act with greater fortitude."
Turkey's journey toward EU membership officially began in 1999 when it received candidate status, and formal membership negotiations began in 2005. Concerns over democratic setbacks and the erosion of the rule of law under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's administration halted progress in 2018.
In addition, disputes with the EU member state of Cyprus created additional impediments. A sizeable portion of the European Union still hesitates accepting Turkey, a populous, predominantly Muslim nation. The Turkish effort to reengage with the European Union coincides with the country's struggling economy.
Per Reuters, the significant depreciation of the Turkish lira against major currencies has exacerbated the economic woes of households struggling with high inflation, making it increasingly challenging to afford essential goods. Oliver Varhelyi, the EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, utilized the occasion to emphasize the significance of democratic reforms for resuming accession negotiations.
"The negotiations for accession have reached an impasse. And for this to be remobilized, the European Council has established exact criteria that must be met.
These requirements are related to democracy and the rule of law, he explained. He noted that a credible roadmap for these reforms could spark a new discussion among EU leaders, paving the way for a change in the status quo. Minister Fidan announced that Turkish and EU officials would begin discussions on the potential upgrade of the 1995-established customs union between Turkey and the EU as a sign of improvement in bilateral relations.
This action has the potential to strengthen economic ties and improve trade relations between the two parties. Moreover, both Turkey and the EU have concurred on the necessity of initiating talks aimed at easing visa restrictions for Turkish executives and students traveling to EU countries. According to Manila Nulletin, this could facilitate increased people-to-people interactions and cultivate closer ties between Turkey and the EU.
Turkey's EU Membership Quest Faces Hurdles
While these recent developments represent a step forward in Turkey's efforts to reconcile its relations with the EU, significant obstacles and challenges still stand in the way of its membership.
The EU's willingness to address concerns about governance and the rule of law, as well as Turkey's commitment to democratic reforms, will largely determine the outcome of these negotiations.
The reaffirmation of Turkey's desire to join the European Union has rekindled prospects for a dialogue on membership. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's request that the EU take decisive action highlights the significance of this relationship to both parties, as per Republic World.
As discussions on the upgrade to the customs union and visa restrictions commence, it remains to be seen whether these measures will pave the way for a more cooperative and constructive engagement between Turkey and the EU on the path to membership.