Message from Ekrem İmamoğlu to the EU: 'Turkey cannot be put in the same category as Russia and China'

Republican People's Party (CHP) presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is currently imprisoned, has made striking assessments regarding the current state of Turkey-EU relations in an article published on the US-based platform Politico. In the piece written from Silivri Prison, İmamoğlu argued that his imprisonment goes beyond a personal judicial process and is an indicator of the breakdown of democracy in Turkey and the growing problems in its rapprochement with the EU.

Stating that the long-standing official membership process is effectively deadlocked, İmamoğlu emphasized that the EU's tendency to place Turkey on the same political plane as Russia and China from time to time does not align with geopolitical realities. "Evaluating Turkey like Russia and China contradicts the EU's own interests," said İmamoğlu, noting that his country has deep historical and institutional ties with Europe.

In his article, İmamoğlu made the following assessment regarding the relations:

“For years, relations between Turkey and the EU have lacked sincerity and balance. The candidacy process, which has officially been ongoing since 1999, has largely been hollowed out. The accession process continues on paper, but it has been politically deadlocked for a long time. While the Turkish government still states full membership as a strategic goal, it simultaneously undermines the foundation of this relationship by weakening democratic politics and institutions, and eroding the rule of law and fundamental rights.”

İmamoğlu also pointed to two significant recent developments in Turkey-EU relations. The first was the latest draft report on Turkey prepared by the European Parliament, and the second was the statements by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, which placed Turkey on the same plane as Russia and China.

“At first glance, these may seem like separate issues, but they actually point to the same problem: the absence of a credible and shared commitment to a common future. The EU oscillates between principles and interests in its relations with Turkey and cannot put forward a strategic vision. Turkey, on the other hand, has failed to produce the democratic trust that could sustain the claim of a common future,” said İmamoğlu, emphasizing that Turkey, as one of the founding members of the Council of Europe, is part of European institutions regarding law, democracy, and human rights.

Pointing out that the European Parliament report draws attention to the increasing pressure, democratic regression, and growing restrictions on the opposition in Turkey in recent years, İmamoğlu indicated that the issues are not limited to the stagnation in the membership application, but rather concern the general direction of EU-Turkey relations and whether there is a shared vision.

“Turkey should not be kept waiting at the EU's door.”

Arguing that the crisis in relations with the EU is also reflected in Turkey's domestic politics, İmamoğlu stated that practices that undermine democracy and the rule of law have led to the shaking of the ground of shared values with the EU.

VON DER LEYEN’S WORDS AND THE EU’S STANCE

As it will be recalled, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized at an event held in Hamburg that Europe should not be left to Russian, Turkish, or Chinese influence, stating, “We must complete the European continent so that it does not fall under Russian, Turkish, or Chinese influence. We must think bigger and more geopolitically.”

While these statements sparked debate in the public sphere, the European Commission Spokesperson's Office underscored Turkey's role within NATO and its status as an EU candidate, stating that Ankara is an indispensable partner in regional economy and politics.

In his message to European institutions and EU leaders, İmamoğlu called for Turkey to be evaluated not by the problems caused by authoritarian rulers, but by its social realities and historical ties. Reiterating the emphasis that “It is not geography that distances Turkey from the EU, but the recently increasing authoritarianism,” he underscored that the country must primarily meet with Europe on the basis of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.

Finally, stating that they want to move the relations of the Turkey they will govern with the EU to a framework based on mutual benefit and equality, where freedoms and the rule of law are strengthened, İmamoğlu assessed, “Turkey should not be kept waiting at the EU's door; a clear and principled roadmap must be determined.”

News Source: 12punto