I would like to thank this House and in particular, the rapporteur and the members of the AFET committee for their comprehensive report on Turkey. https://www.eudebates.tv/ Your report is in line with the main findings of the Commission’s report and the latest developments on the ground. It also clearly illustrates the challenges regarding the EU-Turkey relations.

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In recent years, EU-Turkey relations were strained due to a multitude of factors, notably:

1. The tense situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea;

2. Developments in Cyprus, in particular the actions around Varosha and Turkish positioning in favour of a two-state solution in breach of UNSC resolutions;

3. Turkey’s deviations from its obligations under the Customs Union; and

4. The continued backsliding on reforms, democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights.

Turkish foreign policy actions, which increasingly collided with EU priorities, continued to complicate EU-Turkey relations as well as Turkey’s relations with individual Member States. As a result, EU-Turkey relations reached a very low point last year.

However, in recent months we have witnessed a de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean, the resumption of bilateral talks between Greece and Turkey and of the informal talks on the Cyprus problem in Geneva. These are welcome facts, which need to be sustained and enhanced along with Turkey’s constructive engagement with the EU and all its Member States.

But this de-escalation on the foreign policy front has not been accompanied by a positive momentum when it comes to domestic reforms.

Since the beginning of this year, we have seen a further backsliding on the rule of law and human rights situation in Turkey, and a failure to address the Commission’s recommendations in these areas. The situation remains a serious concern, a concern that EU leaders address regularly, as these issues are central to the future of the EU-Turkey relationship.