The European Commission announced its annual report evaluating Türkiye's membership process to the European Union (EU) within the scope of the 2026 Enlargement Package, published on November 4.
While the report acknowledged that there has been a general improvement in relations between Türkiye and Greece since 2023, it was stated that disputes in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean continue.
While the Commission criticized the maritime jurisdiction agreement signed by Türkiye with Libya, it pointed out that the 1995 Turkish Grand National Assembly resolution, which raised the threat of war against Türkiye if Greece expanded its territorial waters, was in effect.
The report also included evaluations regarding Türkiye's Cyprus policy, the "Blue Homeland" doctrine and the electricity connection project between Greece and Greek Cypriot Administration.
OBJECTION FROM THE EU TO THE Türkiye-LIBYA AGREEMENT
The report discussed the memorandum of understanding regarding the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction signed between Türkiye and Libya in 2019.
The commission stated that Libya's Benghazi-based House of Representatives adopted the agreement in October 2026, which has been awaiting approval for a long time.
According to the EU's assessment, the agreement in question violates the sovereign rights of third countries and is incompatible with international maritime law.
The report also referred to the joint statement of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President António Costa.
In their statements on October 20, the two leaders argued that the Türkiye-Libya agreement was invalid and could not have legal consequences for third countries.
The Commission also noted that Türkiye has not yet approved the memorandum of cooperation in the field of hydrocarbons signed with the Libyan National Unity Government in October 2022.
The report also reminded that the Libyan National Petroleum Corporation granted an exploration license to Turkish Petroleum Joint Stock Partnership (TPAO) in February 2026.
'CASUS BELLI' DECISION DATED 1995 IS ON THE AGENDA
The European Commission also touched upon the territorial waters issue in the Aegean Sea, which is one of the most important disputes between Türkiye and Greece.
The report reminded that Article 3 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) grants states the right to determine territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles.
It was stated that the 1995 Turkish Grand National Assembly decision stating that if Greece unilaterally increases its territorial waters in the Aegean to 12 nautical miles, Türkiye may consider this as a cause of war (casus belli) is still in effect.
The Commission argued that this situation was one of the issues that negatively affected the relations between the two countries.
The report called on Ankara to respect international agreements, strengthen good neighborly relations and resolve disputes peacefully.
The Commission also stated that, if deemed necessary, disputes can be referred to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
CRITICISM TO THE 'BLUE HOMELAND' DOCTRINE
The report also criticized Türkiye's maritime warnings (NAVTEX) issued in the Aegean Sea and its demands for the demilitarization of some Greek islands.
The Commission argued that Türkiye's attitude on this issue indirectly opened Greece's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdictions into question.
The inclusion of the "Blue Homeland" doctrine in school textbooks in Türkiye was also considered an alarming development.
The EU stated that the doctrine in question could negatively affect the ongoing dialogue and regional cooperation between the two countries.
The report also claimed that Turkish warplanes' flights over Greek islands have increased, and flights have also been made over inhabited islands.
The Commission noted a significant increase in the number of incidents of alleged violations of Greece's territorial waters compared to the previous reporting period.
The two marine parks declared by Türkiye in August 2026 in the northeastern Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean were also included in the report. It has been claimed that most of these areas are located in the open sea, outside Türkiye's territorial waters.
CRITICISM TO Türkiye IN GREECE-GCASC ELECTRICITY PROJECT
The European Commission also touched upon the submarine electricity connection project planned to be established between Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus.
It has been claimed that research carried out within the scope of the Great Sea Interconnector, which is among the projects of common interest of the EU, continues to be blocked by Türkiye.
While the Commission acknowledged that Türkiye is an important country in terms of regional electricity connections, it stated that it has not yet fully complied with the updated legislation on European energy networks.
The project aims to provide undersea electricity transmission between Greece and Greek Cypriot Administration.
EMPHASIS ON TWO-STATE SOLUTION IN CYPRUS
The report also allocated extensive space to Cyprus.
The European Commission stated that Türkiye does not recognize the unilateral "Republic of Cyprus" declared by the Greek Cypriot Administration and continues to support the two-state solution model.
The EU claimed that the two-state solution advocated by Ankara was incompatible with the relevant decisions of the United Nations Security Council.
The Commission reiterated its call for Türkiye to normalize its relations with the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus and to respect the sovereign rights of EU member states.
The report also emphasized that diplomatic initiatives led by the United Nations towards the solution of the Cyprus problem should be supported.
'PERMANENT TENSION REDUCTION COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN'
The European Commission stated that the rapprochement in relations between Türkiye and Greece, which started after the earthquakes in 2023, continues.
It was noted that meetings were held between the two countries regarding confidence-building measures and that contacts between the coast guard units continued.
However, the Commission reported that disputes regarding the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones continue to negatively affect bilateral relations.
In particular, the approval of the Türkiye-Libya agreement by the Libyan House of Representatives in October 2026 was evaluated by the EU as an indication that a permanent reduction in tension in the Eastern Mediterranean could not be achieved.
While the Commission called on Türkiye to avoid initiatives that could endanger regional stability, it emphasized that the EU will continue to protect the interests and rights of member states.
REACTION FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE REPORT
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to the European Commission's 2026 Türkiye Report in its statement on November 4.
The Ministry stated that the report once again reveals the EU's biased and unfair approach towards Türkiye.
In the statement, it was noted that the rights and interests of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus were ignored, especially in the evaluations regarding Greece and Cyprus.
Stating that the EU adopted the demands of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side, which were argued to be incompatible with international law, the Ministry rejected the allegations in the report.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that the EU cannot make a constructive contribution to the solution process as long as it unconditionally supports the stance of the Greek Cypriot side on the Cyprus issue.
While Ankara opposed the criticism of the report, it welcomed the positive evaluations regarding Türkiye's economic policies, its position in European supply chains and its role in the field of security.
