Relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU) started with the Ankara Agreement in 1963 and entered a new phase with Turkey’s application for full membership in 1987. However, after Turkey started full membership negotiations with the EU in 2005, various political, economic and social issues have created a constant element of uncertainty in relations. In this process, issues such as human rights, independence of the judiciary and especially Cyprus have emerged as important obstacles in the negotiations.
The Cyprus issue remains one of the most difficult problems in Turkey-EU relations. The accession of Southern Cyprus to the EU in 2004 has caused some controversy in terms of international law, as the EU has a principle that requires member states not to have border problems with their neighbours. However, this principle did not apply to Southern Cyprus, as in the north of the Republic of Cyprus there is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which has existed for almost half a century and has declared its independence. Although the TRNC is not recognised by the EU, it is recognised as an independent state by Turkey and this constitutes a major obstacle in relations between Turkey and the EU.
In Turkey-EU relations, the issue of visa liberalisation has been an important agenda item between the two sides, especially in recent years. Turkey has endeavoured to fulfil the criteria set by the EU for the implementation of the visa liberalisation agreement, but this process has been protracted due to the EU’s constant new demands. This has caused great disappointment and victimisation among Turkish citizens. Due to cancelled or rejected visa applications, many Turkish citizens risked missing out on work and study opportunities.
The EU’s linking the visa liberalisation, which was initially announced for technical reasons, to an issue that will take time to resolve, such as the Cyprus issue, is a clear indication that the EU is following a stalling tactic rather than seeking a solution. This situation reveals the EU’s insincere attitude and unfair policies against Turkey. In this process, Turkey has suffered great losses both materially and morally, and the lives of its citizens have been seriously disrupted. The EU’s attempt to make economic gains through visa policies should be seen as an attack on Turkey’s national interests and the fundamental rights of its citizens.
Such actions deepen the lack of trust in Turkey-EU relations and further entrench the disagreements between the two sides. Turkey should further strengthen its stance against these unfair and unilateral practices and openly criticise the EU’s double standards in the international arena. Turkey should be determined to take all necessary diplomatic and political steps against this unfair and unjust behaviour of the EU to be treated with the respect and equality it deserves.
Finally, the EU’s attitude towards Turkey, especially in the context of the Readmission Agreement, is far from fair and one-sided. By excessively increasing Turkey’s obligation to accept asylum seekers, this agreement has placed an undue burden on Turkey and strained its national resources. This attitude of the EU is considered as a violation of Turkey’s sovereign rights not only in Turkey’s domestic politics but also in the international arena. This undermines Turkey’s right to make its own decisions as an independent and strong nation and harms its national interests.
Turkey is determined to exercise its rights to protect its borders and ensure its national security by opposing this situation. Turkey, which will not submit to this unfair attitude of the EU, will take its own decisions in the asylum seeker policy and will act within the framework of international law in this process. The EU’s efforts to intervene in Turkey’s internal affairs and impose unilateral conditions are unacceptable and a clear attack on Turkey’s sovereign rights.
Therefore, Turkey’s withdrawal from the Readmission Agreement with the EU and pursuing a more independent migration policy is seen as a strategic step that will not only strengthen Turkey’s domestic dynamics but also reinforce Turkey’s independent and decisive stance in the international arena. Turkey is ready to take all necessary steps to protect its national interests and strengthen its sovereign rights.
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