Report by European Union Commission says Turkey’s chances for membership dwindle

The European Union (EU) Commission’s report on Turkey’s accession negotiations said that the chances of EU membership of this country are gradually decreasing. According to Die Welt newspaper, the report stressed that Ankara has not made any progress in fighting corruption, noting that a separation of powers does not exist and serious concerns remain about the functioning of the economy.

The EU’s annual report on Turkey also draws attention to the fact that Ankara’s distance from the EU is growing each and every year as, the country has seen serious setbacks in democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights and judicial independence.

”Arrests against opposition leaders, human rights defenders, journalists, members of civil society, academics under the anti-terrorism law” have caused deep concern, the report said, stressing that the judiciary has seen serious setbacks since the attempted coup in 2016.

“Turkey’s foreign policy on the other hand is “increasingly at odds with the EU’s security and foreign policy priorities,” the report said. In concrete terms, the report noted that Turkey “carried out illegal activities and made provocative statements” against the Cypriot (Greek Cypriot) administration regarding its natural gas exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

“Meanwhile, the report stressed that Turkey has “made significant progress” in its migration and asylum policy. “In 2019, Turkey sought to implement the agreement reached with the EU in March 2016. Turkey has taken a key role in the efficient management of migration flows in the Eastern Mediterranean,” the statement said.

The report shared observations about Turkey’s economy as follows: “The Turkish economy is very advanced in terms of economic criteria, but it has not made any progress during the reporting period. Serious concerns remain about the functioning of the economy” the statement said.