Turkey rejected the European Commission’s report on negotiating Turkey’s accession to the European Union (EU) as a member state.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said the report was a reflection of “the EU’s prejudiced, unconstructive, and double-standard approach.”
The report failed to mention the EU’s own “responsibilities and commitments” and criticized Turkey with “unfounded arguments,” the ministry said in a statement.
“In particular, its biased, unfair and disproportionate criticism of Turkey's foreign, security, and economic policies, as well as our governmental system, elections, fundamental rights, certain judicial and administrative decisions, as well as the legitimate measures taken against terrorism, show how the EU is far from objective," the ministry said.
The Foreign Ministry added that sections of the report on tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean had smeared the Commission's objectivity and were entirely based on Greek-Greek Cypriot claims, noting that Ankara was acting in line with democratic norms and international law.
"Our sincere wish is for the EU to look at the EU candidate country Turkey, not through the selfish and narrow vision of certain circles, but through the common interest and vision of our continent," it stated.
The European Union’s executive said on Tuesday that Turkey’s government was undermining its economy, eroding democracy, and destroying independent courts.
In another context, Turkey's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday criticized a decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to take interim measures against the country at the request of Armenia, which is locked in a conflict with Azerbaijan.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hami Aksoy said in a statement that the ECtHR's move dealt a blow to its credibility and reputation as it lacked any legal basis and the court did not even consult with the Turkish government.
“By adopting this decision based on social media posts and press reports submitted by Armenia to promote its groundless allegations and by no means requesting our Government’s observations, the ECtHR has dealt a blow to its credibility and reputation," Aksoy said.
In another development, Ankara’s military intends to test its Russian-built S-400 air defense system within the next two weeks.
“Missile firing will take place” near the Black Sea coastal city of Sinop, a “notice to airmen” issued by the Turkish government read. Another notice listed civil aviation routes in the area that would be closed during the exercise.
