European Parliament study evaluates Turkey's alignment with EU foreign policy

A study commissioned by the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and published on Tuesday examines how candidate countries align with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). The report specifically identifies Turkey's regional relations as a key factor in assessing its adherence to good neighborly relations, assigning it a score of 3 out of 5 for its mixed performance.

While the study acknowledges Turkey's positive involvement in security and defense operations, noting it as the largest non-EU contributor to EUFOR Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina and a significant contributor to NATO's KFOR in Kosovo, it highlights persistent challenges. Specifically, researchers point to ongoing difficulties in Turkey's bilateral relations with EU member states, emphasizing tensions with Greece and Cyprus. Furthermore, the report notes that Ankara continues to maintain policies that exclude Cyprus from certain collaborative frameworks.

This assessment serves as part of a broader analytical effort to evaluate the integration process of enlargement countries. The findings highlight the complexity of EU-Turkey relations, balancing the country's tangible contributions to regional security against the diplomatic friction existing with specific EU member nations.