In a landmark and politically significant vote, the European Parliament adopted a detailed resolution on Turkey, backing the European Commission’s 2023 and 2024 progress reports. The resolution passed with 367 votes in favour, 74 against, and 188 abstentions. Though non-binding, the resolution sends a strong political message and is expected to shape the future contours of EU-Turkey relations, particularly on matters of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.
Notably, the resolution’s rapporteur, Nacho Sánchez Amor, alongside many other EU Members of Parliament (MEPs), delivered forceful speeches before the vote, sharply criticising Turkey’s democratic backsliding. These MEPs called on the European Commission, the Council of Europe, and the European Council to take swift and concrete action to deter Ankara’s authoritarian drift and to stand firmly in defence of democratic principles.
The @Europarl_EN approved today my report on 🇹🇷 with a clear message: “no shortcuts for #Türkiye to enter the 🇪🇺”. That’s about #democracy, not geopolitics. Authoritarian drift forces us to treat 🇹🇷 as a partner, not candidate.
My speech in the debate:
▶️ https://t.co/aR54aByLoc pic.twitter.com/Wi6DxQieS8— Nacho Sánchez Amor (@NachoSAmor) May 7, 2025
One of the most striking aspects of the resolution is its explicit reference to Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned Kurdish leader who has been confined on Imralı Island for 26 years.
The Parliament describes Öcalan’s 27 February “Peace and Democratic Society” call as a historic and long-awaited breakthrough that presents a rare opportunity to end the four-decade-long Turkish-Kurdish conflict. European lawmakers view this as a potential turning point and call on the Turkish government to launch an inclusive political process that addresses Kurdish rights, democratic representation, and societal reconciliation.
They stress that any durable peace must involve wide-ranging political participation, active parliamentary debate, and respect for minority rights. This emphasis not only highlights the political significance of Öcalan’s call but also places pressure on Ankara to act decisively and constructively.
On the judicial front, the Parliament cautiously welcomes Ankara’s recent unveiling of its Fourth Judicial Reform Strategy for 2025–2029, but it tempers this acknowledgment with sharp criticism. Lawmakers argue that superficial action plans and legal fine-tuning will not be enough to address the deep-rooted problems within Turkey’s judicial system. The resolution underlines the urgent need for profound structural reforms, including restoring judicial independence, ending political interference, and rebuilding public trust in the rule of law. European lawmakers voice grave concern about the political use of the judiciary, with opposition figures, trade unionists, journalists, and civil society actors regularly facing detention under broad counterterrorism charges. This judicial repression, they argue, has led to a profound erosion of Turkey’s democratic institutions and civic freedoms, creating a dangerous climate of fear and self-censorship. MEPs strongly emphasised that the European institutions must increase political pressure and follow-up mechanisms to ensure genuine reform.
A key focus of the resolution is Turkey’s persistent refusal to implement European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings, particularly concerning high-profile political prisoners such as Selahattin Demirtaş, Figen Yüksekdağ, and Osman Kavala.
The Parliament condemns Ankara’s defiance as a violation of its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and warns that continued non-compliance harms both Turkey’s international reputation and its standing in EU relations.
Lawmakers urge EU institutions and member states to deploy all diplomatic tools, including the possibility of financial conditionality, to pressure Turkey to comply with these rulings. They argue that respect for ECHR judgments is a core test of Turkey’s commitment to democratic norms and that ignoring them undermines the trust needed to deepen EU-Turkey cooperation. Several MEPs underscored that failing to secure these rights risks entrenching authoritarian governance and damaging EU credibility.
The resolution further delivers a sweeping assessment of Turkey’s domestic challenges. It denounces the dismissal of elected mayors and the appointment of unelected trustees, criticises Turkey’s cross-border military operations in northern Syria (Rojava), and raises alarm over the systematic rollback of women’s and LGBTQ+ rights. The Parliament also condemns increasing media restrictions, civil society repression, and the stifling of public dissent. In each case, lawmakers call on Ankara to reverse these authoritarian trends and align its policies with European democratic standards. They stress that improving human rights conditions is not merely a domestic matter but a prerequisite for restoring meaningful engagement with the EU.
Yet, despite its strong criticisms, the resolution also acknowledges Turkey’s enduring strategic importance as a NATO ally, an economic partner, and a key regional actor. The Parliament calls for renewed dialogue and sectoral cooperation in areas such as climate change, energy, migration management, and security. However, it firmly insists that any new partnership framework must rest on tangible improvements in democracy, human rights protections, and judicial accountability.
Looking ahead, the Parliament expresses cautious hope that the Turkish government and broader society — especially its youthful and pro-democratic segments — can steer the country back toward EU alignment and democratic renewal. It pledges continued support for Turkish civil society, independent media, and human rights defenders, viewing them as essential pillars of any future progress. Lawmakers underline that the path forward will require political courage, genuine reform, and a clear commitment to upholding the values that underpin the European Union.
