Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey, said Thursday that the arrest of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has negatively impacted recent efforts to revive relations between Ankara and Brussels, though he emphasized the EU remains committed to pursuing a constructive agenda with Turkey.
Speaking during a Europe Day reception in Ankara marking the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, Ossowski said the renewed engagement between the European Union and Turkey had created space for high-level dialogue in areas such as trade, economy, migration and security. However, he noted that developments related to İmamoğlu, a key opposition figure, had caused concern in Brussels and contributed to a cooling of political momentum.
Ossowski refrained from strong criticism, stating that the EU does not want to be judgmental but is carefully observing developments in Turkey, particularly in light of the country’s status as an EU candidate. He said Turkey voluntarily subscribed to the Copenhagen criteria, which emphasize the rule of law, freedom of expression and democratic governance, and that meeting these standards is essential for progress in accession-related processes.
The ambassador highlighted that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had recently taken part in two informal EU foreign ministers’ meetings, in Brussels and Warsaw, which had been interpreted as a symbolic relaunch of dialogue. Other recent steps included visits from senior EU officials, among them the president of the European Commission and the EU’s foreign policy chief, as well as the resumption of high-level dialogue after several years of dormancy.
On the issue of visas, Ossowski dismissed media reports claiming systematic discrimination against Turkish applicants. He said Turkey receives more Schengen visas than any other country except China and that delays were due to a surge in demand rather than political decisions. He also noted ongoing cooperation with Turkish authorities to combat visa fraud and make the application process more efficient.
He emphasized that visa-free travel remains achievable if Turkey fulfills outstanding benchmarks and pointed to countries like Kosovo that achieved visa liberalization despite not being official candidates as examples of progress through reform.
Europe Day, celebrated annually on May 9, marks the anniversary of the 1950 Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundation for what eventually became the European Union. This year’s celebration in Ankara also featured a photography exhibition on EU-funded cultural heritage projects in Turkey. Ossowski praised these initiatives as a symbol of shared values and common history, emphasizing that cultural ties between Turkey and the EU remain strong despite political differences.
Ossowski concluded by expressing hope that both sides could continue working on a positive agenda grounded in mutual respect, democratic standards and long-term strategic interest.
Critics accuse the EU of responding too cautiously to Turkey’s deepening crackdown on opposition figures, including İmamoğlu. Human rights advocates and some lawmakers in the European Parliament argue that Brussels’ emphasis on strategic cooperation has come at the cost of defending democratic norms. They say the muted reaction risks emboldening further authoritarian measures and undermines the EU’s credibility as a defender of human rights and the rule of law.