Turkey urged to mellow diplomatic tone for EU favor, European envoy warns of growing isolation

Nacho Sanchez Amor, the European Parliament’s rapporteur on Turkey, has cautioned that Turkey’s increasingly assertive rhetoric in international affairs is contributing to its isolation on the global stage.

The European envoy stressed the need for Ankara to adopt a more conciliatory tone to pave the way for crucial negotiations with the European Union.

Amor emphasized that Turkey’s harsh language on foreign affairs remains a major obstacle to fostering improved relations with Brussels.

The key demands from Turkey include streamlining European visa access for its citizens and revising a 1995 customs agreement, potentially facilitating increased exports.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell recently proposed offering these concessions to Turkey in exchange for certain commitments. Among these commitments are measures to combat Russian sanctions evasion and progress on resolving the longstanding issue of the divided island of Cyprus.

During the last day of his fact-finding mission in Turkey, which involved meetings with opposition groups, Amor added a new condition, urging Turkey to refrain from using an aggressive or threatening tone in diplomatic interactions.

“You are completely isolated. The only real friend you have is Azerbaijan,” Amor pointed out, underscoring the severity of Turkey’s current international standing.

Turkey, an official EU candidate since 1999, has faced a frozen accession process since 2018 due to European concerns about its human rights record and assertive foreign policy.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s upcoming rare visit to Greece aims to improve ties between the two historic foes. However, Erdogan’s recent criticisms of the West, particularly during his re-election campaign in May and a visit to Germany last month, have raised concerns.

Amor acknowledged that Erdogan’s confrontational rhetoric resonates with the Turkish public, but he stressed the importance of a more cooperative approach for Turkey to be a good neighbor or a potential EU member.

As Erdogan prepares for his visit to Greece, the European envoy’s warning serves as a pivotal call for Turkey to reconsider its diplomatic strategy to avoid further international isolation.