The European Parliament (EP) has called for the frozen status of Turkey's EU accession process to be maintained, citing the continuing deterioration of democratic standards in the country.
In a report adopted on Wednesday by 367 votes to 74 with 188 abstentions, MEPs condemned the heavy repression of peaceful protests and the pressure on political opponents.
The document underlines that the Turkish government has not overcome fundamental democratic deficits and warns of a growing trend in the EU towards an "alternative framework for relations", at the expense of the accession process.
MEPs insist on continued cooperation in areas such as climate action, energy security, the fight against terrorism and regional stability.
Members of the European Parliament expressed deep concern about the repression of critical voices, including the arrests of hundreds of demonstrators without evidence, as well as the politically motivated attacks on Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. They warned that the current government is pushing the country towards authoritarianism.
The report stresses that EU membership depends on compliance with clear criteria such as the rule of law, human rights, good neighbourly relations and compliance with the EU's foreign and defence policy - standards that are non-negotiable.
The MEPs also condemned the recent visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the occupied territories of Cyprus, describing it as an illegal and provocative act that violates the interests of both communities on the island.
Despite the criticism, the parliament recognises Turkey's strategic role as a NATO ally and a key partner in security, trade and migration. MEPs stress the need to maintain constructive dialogue and cooperation in areas of mutual interest, but warn that democratic backsliding hinders progress.
"We constantly hear the Turkish authorities talking about their supposedly serious commitment to EU membership and how important it is to restart this process for security and geopolitical reasons. But they are wrong. EU membership means above all democracy - and the closer Turkey gets to a fully authoritarian model - as seen with the recent arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu - the further it moves away from EU membership", said rapporteur Nacho Sánchez Amor.