In its Enlargement Report, the European Union lists concerns about democratic backsliding in Turkey, its failure to comply with international law and its continuing disputes with Greece.
The recently published document also criticizes Ankara’s policy on the war in Ukraine, the circumvention of EU sanctions against Russia and Turkish claims in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.
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The report assesses Turkey’s foreign policy alignment with EU principles and positions as very limited. An EU official noted that the circumvention of European sanctions against Russia remains significant and that Ankara needs to make more progress.
Brussels also criticizes the Turkish-Libyan memorandum, which the report considers incompatible with international law and the law of the sea. The European Commission supports Greece’s position that the agreement infringes on the sovereign rights of third countries and cannot have legal consequences for them.
The Commission’s support for Athens’ position was also expressed at the UN during a speech by Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis. EU representative Stavros Lambrinidis made that support clear.
The report lists a range of issues that continue to hinder Turkey’s rapprochement with the European Union and the improvement of relations between them. They include Ankara’s stance on Northern Cyprus, flights over Greek islands, violations of Greek airspace and territorial waters, and disputes in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Commission notes that Greek-Turkish relations have generally improved since 2023 and that Turkey has conducted no unauthorized drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean. Nevertheless, the situation in the Aegean remains a concern.
Among the specific problems cited is the casus belli declared by Turkey’s Grand National Assembly in 1995 should Greece extend its territorial waters in the Aegean to 12 nautical miles.
Brussels recalls that Article 3 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) recognizes Greece’s right to do so. According to the report, Turkey’s threat continues to weigh on bilateral relations.
The document also addresses Turkish claims that Greek islands should be demilitarized, maritime notices issued by Ankara and challenges that, according to the Commission, affect Greece’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction. The EU is also concerned about the inclusion of the doctrine known as “Blue Homeland” in Turkish school textbooks.
The report also examines the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), a project intended to establish electrical interconnections in the region.
According to the European Commission, Turkey has continued to obstruct the survey work needed to carry out the project, even though it involves European participation and funding. The report presents this as part of broader obstacles to energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Another development mentioned is Ankara’s reaction to the deployment of a Patriot system battery to Karpathos, a Greek island, as part of measures to respond to the Iranian missile threat.
The report also mentions tensions following the deployment of Greek F-16 aircraft to Cyprus after a drone attack on British bases. Brussels assesses that crises in the region could easily affect relations between Greece and Turkey.
The European Commission also expresses concern about North Macedonia and the implementation of the Prespa Agreement with Greece.
Brussels assesses that the two countries cooperate on the economy, infrastructure, energy interconnections, tourism and culture. However, it stresses that bilateral agreements must be implemented in good faith and that the Prespa Agreement is of particular importance.
According to the document, members of the government and senior Macedonian officials sometimes disregard the agreement, including by failing to use the country’s constitutional name, North Macedonia.
The Commission links its criticism to public statements by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and other officials of the governing VMRO-DPMNE party who use the name “Macedonia” without adding “North.”
Brussels emphasizes that respecting the Prespa Agreement is important both for good-neighborly relations and for progress toward European integration.
