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Berlin says ‘time to open a new chapter’ on Turkey’s EU accession
28.11.2025
By Turkish Minute
Source: https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/11/28/berlin-says-time-to-open-a-new-chapter-on-turkeys-eu-accession/
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has said Turkey could see a fresh opening in its long-stalled bid to join the European Union, signaling Berlin’s readiness to revive accession talks that have been frozen for years, the German Handelsblatt newspaper reported.
“It’s time to open a new chapter,” Wadephul said at a press conference in Berlin on Friday with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is paying a two-day visit to the country.
Turkey was granted official EU candidacy status in 1999, and accession negotiations were initiated in 2005, with Turkey working to align its laws and policies to EU standards.
However, progress stalled for several reasons, including concerns over human rights, democratic governance and the unresolved Cyprus dispute.
Wadephul described Turkey as a “central partner” for Europe on a range of geopolitical issues, including Russia’s war against Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza.
Fidan, for his part, reiterated that EU membership remains Turkey’s “strategic goal” and said Ankara intends to meet the bloc’s requirements, known as the Copenhagen criteria, which commit EU candidates to upholding democracy, human rights and judicial independence to be able to join the bloc.
The existence of accession criteria is “not a problem,” he said.
“You have to follow the rules,” Fidan said, while urging Brussels to restart accession chapters and normalize relations with Ankara. He said the process had reached a standstill and needed to move forward again.
Tensions between Turkey and the EU intensified after a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, with subsequent political crackdowns raising alarm in European capitals. As a result, EU membership talks have effectively been frozen since 2018.
Despite these challenges, Turkey formally remains a candidate for EU membership.
Wadephul said it was in Germany’s interest to strengthen cooperation between the EU and Turkey but stressed that the Copenhagen criteria on democracy, human rights and the rule of law remain “non-negotiable” and “binding” prerequisites for membership.
The German minister said that if Turkey, as a NATO member, wants to move toward the EU, it would find Germany to be a “reliable and friendly partner,” adding that Ankara must demonstrate its commitment to the process, while the EU should also “reach out to Turkey and strengthen the channel for dialogue.”
Fidan’s visit to Berlin also marks an important diplomatic moment. He is in Germany at Wadephul’s invitation, making his first bilateral trip to the country since taking office in June 2023. Fidan last visited Germany in February for the Munich Security Conference and hosted Wadephul in Ankara on October 17.
Their comments about Turkey’s possible EU membership come as Germany has signaled a broader effort to re-energize ties with Ankara.
In late October German Chancellor Friedrich Merz paid his first official visit to Turkey following his election as chancellor in May.
At a joint press conference with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Merz said Germany wants to make better use of the “enormous potential” in bilateral relations with Turkey, adding that Berlin sees Turkey “closely aligned” with the European Union.
“I personally, and the German government as well, see Turkey closely aligned with the European Union. We want to continue paving the way toward Europe,” Merz had said at the time.
At the same time he recalled the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership, stressing that Turkey’s path toward closer ties with Europe depends on compliance with these criteria.
28.11.2025
By Turkish Minute
Source: https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/11/28/berlin-
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has said Turkey could see a fresh opening in its long-
“It’s time to open a new chapter,” Wadephul said at a press conference in Berlin on Friday with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is paying a two-
Turkey was granted official EU candidacy status in 1999, and accession negotiations were initiated in 2005, with Turkey working to align its laws and policies to EU standards.
However, progress stalled for several reasons, including concerns over human rights, democratic governance and the unresolved Cyprus dispute.
Wadephul described Turkey as a “central partner” for Europe on a range of geopolitical issues, including Russia’s war against Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza.
Fidan, for his part, reiterated that EU membership remains Turkey’s “strategic goal” and said Ankara intends to meet the bloc’s requirements, known as the Copenhagen criteria, which commit EU candidates to upholding democracy, human rights and judicial independence to be able to join the bloc.
The existence of accession criteria is “not a problem,” he said.
“You have to follow the rules,” Fidan said, while urging Brussels to restart accession chapters and normalize relations with Ankara. He said the process had reached a standstill and needed to move forward again.
Tensions between Turkey and the EU intensified after a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, with subsequent political crackdowns raising alarm in European capitals. As a result, EU membership talks have effectively been frozen since 2018.
Despite these challenges, Turkey formally remains a candidate for EU membership.
Wadephul said it was in Germany’s interest to strengthen cooperation between the EU and Turkey but stressed that the Copenhagen criteria on democracy, human rights and the rule of law remain “non-
The German minister said that if Turkey, as a NATO member, wants to move toward the EU, it would find Germany to be a “reliable and friendly partner,” adding that Ankara must demonstrate its commitment to the process, while the EU should also “reach out to Turkey and strengthen the channel for dialogue.”
Fidan’s visit to Berlin also marks an important diplomatic moment. He is in Germany at Wadephul’s invitation, making his first bilateral trip to the country since taking office in June 2023. Fidan last visited Germany in February for the Munich Security Conference and hosted Wadephul in Ankara on October 17.
Their comments about Turkey’s possible EU membership come as Germany has signaled a broader effort to re-
In late October German Chancellor Friedrich Merz paid his first official visit to Turkey following his election as chancellor in May.
At a joint press conference with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Merz said Germany wants to make better use of the “enormous potential” in bilateral relations with Turkey, adding that Berlin sees Turkey “closely aligned” with the European Union.
“I personally, and the German government as well, see Turkey closely aligned with the European Union. We want to continue paving the way toward Europe,” Merz had said at the time.
At the same time he recalled the Copenhagen criteria for EU membership, stressing that Turkey’s path toward closer ties with Europe depends on compliance with these criteria.