Türkiye's stern warning to the EU: Double standards in judicial interference

Türkiye's Permanent Representative to the European Union, Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı, recently criticized the European Parliament for its perceived double standards regarding Ankara's judicial independence. This statement came in the wake of a series of discussions about Türkiye during the European Parliament's Plenary Session held in Strasbourg from March 31 to April 3, 2025.

Kaymakcı described the Parliament's criticisms of Türkiye, particularly concerning the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu on corruption charges, as "politically motivated" and a diversion from the EU's internal challenges. He voiced concern over the tone of the sessions, claiming they had devolved into a platform for extreme rhetoric.

The ambassador expressed bewilderment at the EU's attempts to shift focus away from its own issues rather than addressing them. He noted, "We find it strange that the EP is trying to divert attention instead of confronting its own problems during this difficult period that the EU is in."

Imamoğlu's arrest on March 19 sparked significant protests across Türkiye, heightening tensions between Ankara and Brussels. Kaymakcı warned that the European Parliament's transformation into a venue for irrational and tactless views poses a threat to the future of the EU, allowing extremist factions to further alienate Türkiye from the bloc.

A particularly contentious moment arose when European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, announced she would not visit Türkiye. Kaymakcı labeled this decision as politically charged, asserting that it contradicted the expected neutrality of the European Commission. Kos's withdrawal from the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and a scheduled meeting with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan intensified existing strains. She cited Imamoğlu’s arrest as raising doubts about Türkiye's commitment to democratic principles.

Kaymakcı emphasized that Kos's stance was incompatible with the impartiality expected from her position, criticizing the EU for its inconsistent approach to judicial matters. He stated, "It is unacceptable for the EU to display an approach that undermines the judicial independence and the rule of law in our country."

In a broader discourse, he noted the hypocrisy of EU reactions to judicial processes in member states like France and Romania, contrasting them with their scrutiny of Türkiye's legal proceedings. His sentiments resonated with those of Ömer Çelik, spokesperson for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), who highlighted France's criticisms of Türkiye as indicative of double standards.

In response to the escalating tensions, the EU announced it would "carefully recalibrate" its engagement with Türkiye, recognizing the nation as a key partner despite the "worrying developments." EU spokesperson Markus Lammert articulated the need for open channels to discuss mutual interests, underscoring Türkiye’s strategic importance.

Historically, Türkiye has maintained a complex relationship with the EU, characterized by a lengthy negotiation process that began with an association agreement in 1964. Despite being granted candidate status in 1999, Türkiye's accession talks have faced numerous setbacks, with only 16 out of 35 negotiation chapters opened by 2016. The EU's dissatisfaction with perceived stagnation on key issues and Türkiye's accusations of double standards have left the future of its EU membership uncertain.