The EU has voiced concern over arrests, legal proceedings and online restrictions targeting LGBTIQ+ people, activists and civil society in Türkiye. It called for the release of anyone arbitrarily detained, unfounded charges to be dropped and fundamental freedoms to be upheld—but also warned against targeting international donors.
The EU and Türkiye have reaffirmed their intention to strengthen cooperation after high-level talks in Ankara, covering Ukraine, sanctions circumvention, Cyprus, migration, security and defence, Customs Union modernisation, connectivity and Türkiye’s possible participation in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).
French authorities, supported by Europol and the Swiss Federal Police (Fedpol), have dismantled a criminal network trafficking counterfeit and converted firearms from Türkiye into the European Union. During coordinated action days between 8 and 11 June 2026, investigators arrested ten suspects and raided seven luxury properties in southern France.
NATO foreign ministers meeting in Sweden prepared the July Ankara Summit around higher defence spending, stronger industrial production, and sustained support for Ukraine. Secretary General Mark Rutte said Allies must turn the 5% commitment into military capabilities, while also addressing interconnected risks from Russia’s war, drone incidents on the eastern flank, and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
COP President-Designate Murat Kurum today appointed Samed Ağırbaş as Climate High-Level Champion ahead of the UN Climate Conference (COP31) in Antalya in November 2026. Currently Ağırbaş serves as chairman of the Zero Waste Foundation in Türkiye and president of the Zero Waste Forum.
MEPs urge Turkish authorities to urgently reverse democratic backsliding, comply with constitutional and international obligations, and release political prisoners. The call follows the Subcommittee on Human Rights’ first delegation visit to Türkiye in the current legislative term, and its first on the ground since 2022.
Ekaterina Zaharieva, EU Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, and Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Türkiye, met in Brussels for the third EU-Türkiye High-Level Dialogue on science, research, technology, and innovation.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz travelled to Türkiye for his inaugural visit. In the joint press conference with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Chancellor called for making even better use of the enormous potential of German-Turkish relations.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced on Tuesday that the 2026 NATO Summit will be held on 7 and 8 July 2026 at the Beştepe Presidential Compound (Külliye) in Ankara, Türkiye.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and EU Enlargment Commissioner Marta Kos met in Istanbul on July 25 to reaffirm the importance of Türkiye’s EU candidate status and its constructive role in fostering stability and prosperity across the broader region. Building on a shared vision of strategic collaboration, both sides agreed to advance a joint agenda in key areas of connectivity —including trade, energy, transportation, and digitalization—with particular focus on the
At the second Türkiye–EU High-Level Trade Dialogue in Ankara, Minister Ömer Bolat and EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič reaffirmed strong trade ties and ongoing cooperation under the Customs Union. With bilateral trade reaching €210 billion in 2024, the Dialogue remains key to ensuring smooth economic relations and shaping future joint initiatives.
MEP Nacho Sánchez Amor, the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur on Türkiye, visited imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on Friday. The meeting took place at Silivri High-Security Prison near Istanbul. Following the meeting, Nacho Sánchez Amor stated: “If Türkiye truly wants to revive its EU accession process, the path begins here, in Silivri.”
Russia and Ukraine are publicly inching toward direct peace negotiations for the first time in over a year. Both sides signal readiness – Moscow with a proposal for talks in Istanbul, and Kyiv with an unprecedented 30-day ceasefire – but their diverging conditions and deep mistrust underscore how fragile this moment remains. A flurry of diplomacy by Turkey, the US, and Europe has set the stage for May 15 talks,
Türkiye’s strategic importance cannot offset its democratic backsliding, MEPs warn in a report adopted on Wednesday (367 votes in favour, 74 against, 188 abstentions). Given the current circumstances, they say, the country’s EU accession process cannot resume—despite the pro-European aspirations of many Turkish citizens.
The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament condemns the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul and Erdoğan’s main political rival and calls on the Turkish government to stop abuses of power targeting opposition politicians.
Addressing an online meeting organized by the European Union, President Erdoğan said: “We are of the opinion that planning all steps for European security together with Türkiye will be in our mutual interest.”
In Ankara, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a narrow and expanded format. Learn more about what they have discussed.
“The path to Syria’s future also runs through Türkiye. I commend Türkiye for really helping a large number of Syrian refugees and welcoming them here. It is clear that the refugees can return to Syria when Syria is a stable country, and there are jobs, and it is possible to make a living” – EU High Representative Kaja Kallas in Ankara.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen carefully proceeds to build a pro-European alliance in support of democratisation and reform processes in Syria. Explore her statements in Ankara and Amman – and the reaction of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
In his first major speech as NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte highlighted the critical need to ramp up defence spending and defence production in an increasingly turbulent security environment. At an event hosted by Carnegie Europe in Brussels, Mr Rutte called on Allies to “shift to a wartime mindset and turbo charge our defence production and defence spending”.
Today, the EU Commission has adopted its annual Enlargement Package, providing a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Türkiye. The assessments are accompanied by recommendations and guidance on the reform priorities.
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