European Parliament adopts progress report on Turkey

The European Parliament has approved a progress report on Turkey with 381 votes in favor, 107 against, and 171 abstentions. The report, which is highly critical, addresses the freezing of Turkey's accession process since 2018, democratic regression, the occupation of Cyprus, and recognizes Greece's right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles. The Turkish Presidency and Foreign Ministry rejected the report, labeling it as groundless, biased, and based on distorted information, while specifically criticizing references to the 'Blue Homeland' doctrine and judicial issues. Five Cypriot MEPs chose to abstain, citing their disagreement with the report's characterization of Turkey as a strategic partner without concrete progress on the Cyprus issue. In contrast, Cypriot MEP Fidias Panagiotou voted against the report, arguing that no further cooperation with Ankara should occur while the Cyprus dispute remains unresolved. Supporters of the vote claim the text sends a necessary message regarding the rule of law and international obligations.