The European Union has confirmed that Türkiye’s EU accession process remains frozen due to concerns about democracy and the rule of law. Ankara, however, insists that cooperation with the bloc will continue on shared interests.

The European Union has officially announced that Turkey’s EU membership negotiations remain suspended. According to the European Commission’s 2025 Enlargement Package and a European Parliament resolution adopted in May 2025, the current political and judicial environment in Turkey “does not allow for the resumption of negotiations.” On the EU’s official enlargement map, Turkey is the only candidate country marked in red, labelled “Candidate country — process suspended.”

EU institutions cite ongoing democratic backsliding as the main reason for the freeze. The European Parliament expressed serious concerns over the independence of the judiciary, restrictions on freedom of expression, and the shrinking space for civil society. The European Commission’s report also points to limited progress in anti-corruption efforts and gender equality policies. These shortcomings have prevented the opening of any new negotiation chapters since 2018.

Despite the suspension, Brussels continues to view Türkiye as a strategic partner, particularly in areas such as migration management, trade, and regional stability. EU officials have stated that cooperation based on mutual interests will continue, though they emphasise that democratic reforms remain a prerequisite for any progress in the accession framework.

In response, the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the European Parliament’s assessment, describing it as ‘biased and politically motivated.’ The ministry reaffirmed that Türkiye remains committed to EU membership while expecting “equal and fair treatment” from the Union. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, commenting on the issue, stated: “If the EU has Copenhagen criteria, Türkiye has Ankara criteria,” underscoring Ankara’s emphasis on national sovereignty and independent reform processes.

While the accession process is now formally suspended, it has not been legally terminated. Both sides continue to maintain diplomatic dialogue and economic cooperation, yet the momentum for full membership has clearly faded. For now, the EU–Türkiye relationship stands at a crossroads — balancing strategic partnership with diverging political values.