Turkey seeks closer EU ties but resists adherence to European principles
Turkey has expressed a desire for closer relations with the European Union, including access to the European defense market and participation in new financial instruments. However, Ankara struggles to accept the EU’s legal obligations and principles, which it finds inconvenient. The latest Turkish backlash came after a parliamentary committee amendment proposed by Cypriot MEP Loukas Fourlas called for EU cooperation with Cyprus to fund a monument honoring women subjected to sexual violence during Turkey’s 1974 invasion.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the monument as an attempt to defame Turkish forces and reiterated its portrayal of the invasion as a "peace operation," accusing EU institutions of acting as tools of Greek Cypriot propaganda. Yet, the proposal is rooted in EU and UN resolutions and does not constitute an official EU adoption of a solely Greek Cypriot narrative. The entire Republic of Cyprus is EU territory, with only occupation limiting the acquis’ application.
Turkey's ambitions extend to participating in the EU’s defense procurement program SAFE, but its ongoing territorial disputes with EU member Greece and continued non-recognition of the Republic of Cyprus hinder such aspirations. The latest European Commission report highlights persistent threats of war and territorial disputes, underscoring the incompatibility between Turkey’s demands and fundamental EU principles.
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