Marta Kacz, European Commissioner, during her visit to Edirne province in Turkey at the inauguration of a railway project funded by the EU, analyzed the recent actions of the Turkish government. These actions include blocking access to the website and social media accounts of outlet T24 due to the publication of content about LGBTQ+ rights, which the government considers "LGBT propaganda."
Criticism of Turkey's Recent Actions
Turkey has recently been influenced by an investigation called "My Family is Safe," which aims to suppress LGBTQ+ groups under the pretext of preserving family values and protecting children. These decisions have led to severe criticism from human rights groups and the European Union. Kacz stated that these actions seriously increase Turkey's distance from the goals it has set for EU membership.
Concerns of the European Union
Kacz also noted that the annual EU enlargement report, which is set to be published on October 28, will include serious concerns regarding Turkey's democratic standards. Emphasizing that the EU seeks to develop cooperative and mutually beneficial relations with Turkey under the new conditions in Europe, she stated that these relations must align with maintaining democratic standards.
Kacz further added that Turkey's relations with Europe today are significantly more important than they were four or five years ago, and in the current situation, cooperation with Turkey in various fields, including security and defense, is essential. She referred to initiatives like "Security Operations for Europe" that help member countries invest in defense, as well as the "Euro Payment Area" initiative that facilitates cashless money transfers.
In conclusion, Kacz pointed to the existing conflicts in the region, especially the expansion of the Russia-Ukraine war into the Black Sea, and emphasized the importance of cooperation with Turkey. She stated, "Turkey's importance today is significantly greater than in the past."
