Turkish Foreign Ministry Rejects EU Report on Democracy and Human Rights, Citing Bias.

 

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has condemned the European Commission's yearly report reviewing Turkey's long-stalled attempt to join the European Union, calling it unreasonable and biassed.

The EU's executive arm published a report on Wednesday accusing Ankara of "serious backsliding" on democratic values, the rule of law, human rights, and judicial independence.

"We firmly reject baseless allegations and unfair criticisms, especially concerning political criteria and the Judiciary and Fundamental Rights chapter," stated the Turkish ministry in a Thursday release. 

The Commission's report also asserted that Turkey did not adhere to the principles of the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms in its counterterrorism efforts. 

The Turkish government acknowledges its legitimate right and responsibility to combat terrorism but emphasizes the importance of doing so in full compliance with the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms, as stated in the report.

The Turkish ministry considered these allegations as unjust and pointed out what it perceives as the EU's insincere approach and double standards, emphasizing that fundamental rights issues are a contentious matter even among EU member states.

The Commission's report is intended to provide an update on Turkey's progress toward meeting EU membership standards, potentially straining already complicated relations, primarily due to issues like immigration and the recent conflict between Israel and the Hamas armed group in Gaza.