The previous Turkey’s government used to put a high priority on the country’s entry into the EU. However, the new government with the strongman at the helm is not eager to search for allies and make concessions in the struggle for the EU membership. In this context, both sides admit that the talks on this issue have come into gridlock. Meanwhile, Turkey’s application for the EU membership remains valid. In fact, the country makes no efforts to enter the EU. Policymakers from the European Commission think that Turkey’s authorities do not push ahead with its access and even neglect fundamental principles of the EU. “Turkey is a key partner for the EU and a candidate country. Dialogue and cooperation, including at highest level, in essential areas of joint interest have continued, including through effective cooperation on migration and support to refugees,” the European Commission stated in the press release.
Experts are wondering whether Ankara is determined to carry on with its stubborn standoff with the EU. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is pursuing a hardline policy aiming to supervise all government agencies, the central bank, public opinion, and any incidents of people’s discontent. “Turkey has continued to move further away from the European Union, with serious backsliding in the areas of the rule of law and fundamental rights and through the weakening of effective checks and balances in the political system, brought forward by the entry into force of the constitutional amendment. In June 2018 the Council noted unanimously that Turkey's accession negotiations have therefore effectively come to a standstill and no further chapters can be considered for opening or closing. The underlying facts leading to this assessment still hold,” the EU officials made a conclusion.