EU formally freezes Turkey’s membership bid, citing democratic deterioration

The European Union has formally identified Turkey as the only country whose EU membership candidacy has been suspended, citing severe setbacks in democracy, the rule of law, and freedom of expression. 

The bloc announced that no new negotiation chapters will be opened with Ankara, effectively freezing Turkey’s accession process.

The decision was detailed in the European Commission’s newly released report titled “2025 Enlargement Package and Strategic Outlook,” which outlines the EU’s latest enlargement strategy covering the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries.

According to the report, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine, and Turkey remain listed as candidate countries. However, Turkey is marked in red on the accompanying map, with a note stating that its “accession process is suspended,” symbolizing the de facto halt of its membership aspirations.

“Setbacks in Freedom of Expression and Judicial Independence”

The European Commission noted that Turkey’s reform process, launched alongside its full membership negotiations in 2005, has come to a standstill. The report expressed deep concern over the erosion of freedom of expression, academic independence, and the shrinking space for critical media.

“In a European democracy, it is unacceptable for critics, journalists, or academics to face political persecution,” the report stated, calling for the repeal or revision of controversial criminal code provisions used to silence dissent.

“Regression in Democracy and Rule of Law”

The EU also underscored regression in judicial independence, anti-corruption efforts, women’s and children’s rights, and trade union freedoms. “Turkey’s growing distance from the European Union, coupled with serious setbacks in fundamental rights and judicial independence, makes it impossible to open new negotiation chapters,” the report declared.

This statement effectively confirms that Turkey’s EU accession process has been officially frozen, marking a significant shift in relations between Ankara and Brussels.