Foreign Ministry calls EU's 2026 Türkiye Report biased and unfair

The Foreign Ministry said the European Commission's 2026 Türkiye Report reflects the EU's biased and unfair approach, rejecting unfounded claims concerning political criteria and the judiciary. The ministry described the report's findings on the economy as important and reiterated its call to update the Customs Union.

The Turkiye Times Editorial DeskNovember 04, 2026, 11:17 PMUpdated: November 04, 2026, 11:43 PM

Foreign Ministry calls EU's 2026 Türkiye Report biased and unfair

The Foreign Ministry reacted to the Türkiye Report in the 2026 Enlargement Package announced by the European Commission on November 4. In a written statement, the ministry said the report had "once again revealed the European Union's (EU) biased and unfair approach toward Türkiye" and stated, "We reject the unfounded claims in the report, particularly those concerning political criteria, the judiciary and fundamental rights." The ministry said these allegations reflected the "double-standard" approach of some EU officials.

The statement stressed that the report defended the "maximalist positions" of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side while once again ignoring the legitimate rights and interests of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The ministry recalled that the EU could not contribute to efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue "as long as it unconditionally adopts the position of the Greek Cypriot side." It said the assessments concerning the Eastern Mediterranean violated international law and noted that the statements on the Türkiye-Libya Memorandum of Understanding had "no legal bearing whatsoever."

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos speaks at a press conference in Brussels

"Relations should be shaped around common interests"

The ministry stressed that Türkiye-EU relations should be shaped beyond narrow political calculations and unilateral approaches, on the basis of common interests and a long-term vision. The statement said Türkiye was ready to advance relations within the framework of association law and the principle of keeping one's commitments, based on mutual trust, respect and fairness. The European Commission announced the 2026 Enlargement Package, containing its annual reports on candidate countries, in Brussels on November 4.

Economy and Customs Union

The ministry described as "important" the report's findings on progress in the economy and monetary policy, the functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competitive pressure within the EU. It also welcomed references to connectivity, the resilience of supply and value chains, and the role played in defence and security. The report says Türkiye is at an "advanced level" in establishing a functioning market economy and that bilateral trade reached a record of more than 218 billion euros in 2025. Citing these figures, the ministry reiterated its expectation that the Customs Union be updated.

Marta Kos presents the 2026 Enlargement Package with graphics

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, who presented the package together with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, said they viewed Türkiye as a strategic partner, "particularly because it is NATO's second-most powerful member," Anadolu Agency reported. Kos also said some European companies had a "clear interest" in updating the Customs Union.

The Foreign Ministry concluded its statement with the following call: "Our expectation from the EU is that it demonstrate the strategic will required by our common future by turning the dialogue that has intensified recently into concrete decisions that strengthen our membership perspective."

Photos: European Commission Audiovisual Service (© European Union, 2026), Brussels, November 4, 2026

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Foreign Ministry calls EU's 2026 Türkiye Report biased and unfair