EVP boss sees the basis for partnership with Türkiye in danger

Arrest of Imamoglu

EVP boss sees the basis for partnership with Türkiye in danger

Not compatible with the values ​​of the EU: The head of the alliance of European center-right parties addresses clear words to the Turkish President Erdogan. Are there any consequences?

The EPP chairwoman and CSU-Vice Manfred Weber sees the basis for working with the government of head of state Recep Tayyip Erdogan, given the detention of the Turkish opposition politician Ekrem Imamoglu. “The EU wants a close partnership with Turkey, but that can only work on the basis of common values,” said the top politician of the German Press Agency. Using the judiciary as a political weapon is not compatible with these values.

“Erdogan’s Türkiye is on the wrong way,” criticized Weber, who with the EVP parliamentary group leads the largest group of members of the MP in the European Parliament. The rule of law and democracy threatened to be damaged.

The Turkish opposition politician Imamoglu had been arrested last week for allegations in connection with terrorist and corruption investigations and then deducted in his function as Mayor of Istanbul. So far, he has been considered the most promising political challenger of Erdogan in the election scheduled for 2028 and was also set up as a candidate by the largest opposition party. Imamoglu denies all allegations and accuses the government of wanting to politically want to investigate.

Due to the developments, a possible cancellation of planned discussions about the expansion of cooperation with Turkey was recently under discussion in the EU. The planned consultations had been announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen just a few days before the arrest Imamoglus. According to the information, an EU-Türkiye dialog for business issues in April and another on migration and security issues was prepared.

The background to the planning was an order by the heads of state and government by a summit in April 2024. At that time, it was agreed to strengthen relationships with Turkey as possible – especially because the country plays a key role in the efforts to stabilize the eastern Mediterranean and in solving migration problems.

Previously, projects such as the planned modernization of the customs union and a visal liberalization for regression in the rule of law, fundamental rights and freedom of expression in Turkey had been put on hold.