Politics
Former hope, new target: Türkiye’s opposition divided over Kılıçdaroğlu
For more than a decade, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was the face of Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), leading the party through multiple national elections and ultimately becoming the joint opposition’s presidential candidate against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2023.
Three years later, Kılıçdaroğlu finds himself at the center of one of the deepest crises in the CHP’s modern history.
Following a May 21, 2026 ruling by Ankara’s 36th Civil Chamber of the Regional Court of Appeals that declared the CHP’s 2023 party congress legally invalid under the principle of “absolute nullity”, Kılıçdaroğlu returned as CHP chairman for a second time. His return has triggered resignations, internal divisions, disciplinary proceedings and competing claims over the party’s legitimacy.
Before entering politics, Kılıçdaroğlu served as director-general of the Social Security Institution of Türkiye (SSK), where he gained public recognition for his criticism of government policies and anti-corruption campaigns.
He joined the CHP in 2002 and was elected as an Istanbul lawmaker the same year. He later represented Izmir in parliament and became the party’s parliamentary group deputy chair.
After longtime CHP leader Deniz Baykal resigned in 2010, Kılıçdaroğlu won the party leadership and remained chairman until November 2023. During that period, the CHP lost every parliamentary, presidential and constitutional referendum in which he led the party, including the 2011, June 2015, November 2015, 2018 and 2023 parliamentary elections, the 2014, 2018 and 2023 presidential elections, and the 2010 and 2017 constitutional referendums.
Best chance in 2023
Despite years of electoral defeats, Kılıçdaroğlu emerged as the consensus presidential candidate of the six-party Nation Alliance in March 2023.
His candidacy was backed not only by alliance partners including the Good Party (IYI Party), DEVA Party, Future Party, Felicity Party, and Democrat Party, but also received support from the Labor and Freedom Alliance, whose members urged voters to support Kılıçdaroğlu in the presidential race.
The campaign portrayed the election as Türkiye’s most consequential in decades and sought to unite a broad coalition of opposition voters behind a single challenger to Erdoğan.
Leading CHP figures strongly endorsed Kılıçdaroğlu’s candidacy.
Former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu repeatedly expressed support for Kılıçdaroğlu, describing him as the alliance’s candidate and encouraging public donations to his presidential campaign. Kılıçdaroğlu’s campaign established donation accounts in Turkish lira, U.S. dollars, and euros, while Imamoğlu publicly urged supporters to contribute, saying, “With a small contribution, let’s begin a big change.”
Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş likewise declared that he would not act independently of Kılıçdaroğlu’s leadership and emphasized that the Nation Alliance should continue united.
During the campaign, videos and public appearances frequently featured opposition politicians referring to Kılıçdaroğlu as “Mr. President,” reflecting confidence within opposition ranks that he could end Erdoğan’s more than two decades in power.
That expectation ended on May 28, 2023.
In the presidential runoff, Erdoğan won 52.16% of the vote while Kılıçdaroğlu received 47.84%.
The defeat immediately intensified criticism inside the CHP, with party members questioning both campaign strategy and leadership. The election loss eventually led to Kılıçdaroğlu’s defeat at the CHP congress later that year, where Özgür Özel was elected party chairman.
Court ruling reshapes party
The political landscape shifted again in May 2026 when an appeals court ruled that the CHP’s 2023 congress was legally invalid under the doctrine of “absolute nullity.”
The ruling effectively restored Kılıçdaroğlu as party chairman while legal proceedings over the party’s leadership continued.
His return has exposed deep divisions within the CHP.
Supporters argue that the court decision must be respected because it restored the legally recognized party leadership.
Some party officials and members have accused Kılıçdaroğlu of enabling judicial intervention in internal party affairs, with some describing his actions as “betrayal,” “anti-democratic” or a “civilian coup”. Those characterizations are political accusations made by his critics, which Kılıçdaroğlu has rejected.
The dispute has fueled resignations, disciplinary actions, and competing factions within Türkiye’s largest opposition party, with some politicians leaving the CHP and others reportedly joining the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party).
The CHP’s internal crisis extends beyond a leadership dispute.
The contrast between Kılıçdaroğlu’s position in 2023 and today illustrates how rapidly political alliances can shift. Three years ago, much of the opposition rallied behind him as the candidate they believed could become Türkiye’s next president. Today, many of the same figures and party members openly challenge his legitimacy, while others continue to argue that the court ruling restored the party’s lawful leadership.
The leadership dispute has left the CHP divided over its future direction and raised broader questions about opposition unity ahead of Türkiye’s next electoral cycle.
Özel’s rise from ally to rival
The internal struggle over the CHP leadership also transformed the relationship between Kılıçdaroğlu and his longtime ally, Özgür Özel.
Following the opposition’s defeat in the May 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections, Özel joined the “change” movement led by Ekrem Imamoğlu, which argued that the CHP required new leadership after years of electoral setbacks.
Although initially reluctant to declare his candidacy, Özel said he would “not avoid responsibility” if called upon to lead the party. After Imamoğlu announced that he would instead seek another term as Istanbul mayor, Özel entered the leadership race.
At the CHP congress held later that year, Özel defeated Kılıçdaroğlu to become the party’s eighth chairman. He was re-elected during an extraordinary party congress on April 6, 2025.
The leadership contest marked a dramatic shift in Özel’s relationship with his predecessor.
During the 2023 election campaign, Özel had publicly praised Kılıçdaroğlu, describing him as “someone I respect and take as an example” and calling him “one of the most democratic people” he had known. Campaigning for the opposition candidate, Özel urged voters to elect Kılıçdaroğlu president and defended him against criticism throughout the election period.
The appeals court’s “absolute nullity” ruling in May 2026 fundamentally altered the party’s internal balance by restoring Kılıçdaroğlu as chairman while Özel continued to enjoy the backing of much of the party organization.
The result was an unprecedented situation in which rival camps claimed political legitimacy.
The dispute extended to parliamentary politics, with both Kılıçdaroğlu and Özel seeking to preside over CHP parliamentary group meetings, highlighting the institutional uncertainty created by the court’s decision.
Turkish media also reported speculation that Özel and his allies could eventually establish a new political party, although no such move had been formally announced. Meanwhile, CHP spokesman Müslim Sarı said the party planned to begin its regular congress process in early September.
Relations between the two camps deteriorated rapidly after Kılıçdaroğlu resumed the party leadership.
Supporters of Özel sharply criticized Kılıçdaroğlu’s decision to return following the court ruling, while Kılıçdaroğlu’s allies argued that implementing the judicial decision was necessary to restore the party’s legal leadership.
Several prominent Özel allies publicly directed harsh criticism toward Kılıçdaroğlu. The rhetoric reflected the depth of the split inside the opposition party, with both factions accusing the other of undermining the CHP’s future.
From Candidate to Criticized
The Workers’ Party of Türkiye (TİP), which had urged voters to support Kılıçdaroğlu during the 2023 presidential runoff and pledged to mobilize all of its resources behind his campaign, later rejected his restored leadership following the court ruling. Party officials described the new leadership arrangement as politically illegitimate and said they would not recognize it.
Former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, who had campaigned extensively for Kılıçdaroğlu in 2023 and was widely expected to become a vice president if the opposition won the election, also rejected the court’s ruling after it reinstated Kılıçdaroğlu as CHP chairman, calling on supporters to oppose the decision.
The developments underscored the extent to which political alliances inside Türkiye’s opposition had shifted since the 2023 presidential election, when Kılıçdaroğlu served as the unified candidate backed by a broad coalition seeking to unseat President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Kılıçdaroğlu’s “renewal” campaign
Addressing party members during the CHP’s Eid al-Adha gathering on May 30, 2026, Kılıçdaroğlu framed the crisis as extending beyond a dispute over the party congress.
He repeatedly referred to the need for “renewal,” “cleansing,” and a “clean congress,” saying the CHP would hold those responsible for alleged wrongdoing accountable and organize what he described as a transparent party congress.
Kılıçdaroğlu also drew a distinction between party members whom he said represented the CHP’s values and those he accused of damaging the party’s reputation through corruption or misconduct.
The dispute escalated further on June 10, 2026, when the CHP executive board, chaired by Kılıçdaroğlu, referred nine lawmakers associated with Özel to the party’s High Disciplinary Board with a request for permanent expulsion.
Party spokesman Müslim Sarı said the disciplinary measures formed part of what the leadership described as a broader effort to promote “clean politics.”
The executive board later initiated similar disciplinary proceedings against Mezitli Mayor Ahmet Serkan Tuncer and Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, bringing the total number of senior party figures facing expulsion requests to 11.
In response, 28 members of the CHP Party Assembly aligned with Özel resigned from the body, further deepening the institutional crisis.
The leadership dispute also coincided with a broader wave of resignations among local politicians.
Several municipal officials left the CHP, while others joined the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). One of the most closely watched defections came when Haymana Mayor Levent Koç resigned from the CHP and joined the AK Party.
The transfers followed a broader trend that had begun after the 2024 local elections, with several opposition-affiliated mayors and local officials changing party affiliation.
Cultural figures distance themselves
The CHP’s internal divisions also reached beyond politics.
Several prominent Turkish musicians, including Selda Bağcan, Zülfü Livaneli, Suavi, Onur Akın, and representatives of the late Edip Akbayram’s works, announced that they no longer wanted their songs used at CHP events or in programs featuring Kılıçdaroğlu. They said legal action could follow if their requests were ignored.
Among them was singer-songwriter Onur Akın, who composed a campaign song for Kılıçdaroğlu during the 2014 presidential election. Following the court ruling, Akın publicly criticized the former CHP leader and said he would no longer write songs for individual politicians, adding that he would instead focus on promoting ideas rather than personalities.
Türkiye on Sunday condemned a decision by the Israeli government regarding Armenian claims over the 1915 events, accusing Israel of using the issue to divert international attention from its conduct in Gaza.
In a written statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Israel’s decision was politically motivated and alleged that it was intended to conceal Israel’s actions against Palestinians.
“The Israeli government, which is carrying out systematic oppression against the Palestinian people before the eyes of the entire world and is being tried at the International Court of Justice on charges of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, aims to cover up its own crimes through the political decision it has adopted regarding the events of 1915,” the ministry said.
The ministry described the move as “a malicious attempt” that ignored “historical and legal realities.”
It also argued that the decision reflected the international pressure facing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials. The statement referred to arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court in connection with its investigation into alleged crimes committed against Palestinians.
Türkiye will continue working to end Israel’s expansionist and destabilizing policies in the region and to ensure that Netanyahu’s government is held accountable under international law for crimes committed against civilians, the ministry added.
Moreover, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran also criticized Israel’s decision in a statement posted on social media.
Duran accused the Israeli government of hypocrisy, saying it had no moral authority to make political judgments on historical events while, according to Türkiye, continuing military operations in Gaza.
He said Israel’s recognition of the Armenian claims represented an attempt to deflect attention from what he described as the deaths of Palestinian civilians and alleged violations of international law.
Duran also referred to the proceedings at the International Court of Justice concerning Israel’s conduct in Gaza, arguing that officials facing genocide allegations had no standing to “lecture Türkiye on history or act as guardians of conscience.”
AK Party Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala also condemned the Israeli Cabinet’s decision in a social media post on Monday, saying the move was an attempt to divert international attention from Israel’s own conduct in Gaza.
He said the decision was “politically illegitimate and legally invalid,” arguing that it had been taken by those responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza, the displacement of Palestinians, and actions repeatedly condemned by United Nations agencies.
Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Fuat Oktay also criticized the Israeli Cabinet’s decision in a post on X, arguing that Israel, which he said was facing genocide proceedings at the International Court of Justice over its military campaign in Gaza, was in no position to pass judgment on the 1915 events.
Oktay also warned that the Israeli parliament would be better served by addressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, rather than adopting what he described as “false accusations” against Türkiye.
Netanyahu said in an interview last year that, for the first time as Israel’s prime minister, he recognized the 1915 mass killings and deportations of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as “genocide”.
On the other hand, Azerbaijan on Monday criticized the Israeli government’s decision to recognize the so-called “Armenian genocide,” calling on Israel to reconsider the move.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it was “seriously concerned” by the decision distorting historical facts surrounding the events of 1915.
“It is unacceptable to distort historical facts about the events of 1915 and turn complex historical processes into the subject of political decisions far removed from legal and scientific foundations,” the statement said.
The ministry stressed that such decisions do not contribute to reconciliation or mutual understanding but instead deepen existing divisions and hinder efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.
It urged the Israeli government to reconsider its decision and that Baku would continue to uphold historical truth, respect for international law and efforts to promote sustainable peace in the South Caucasus.
“Azerbaijan will continue to maintain its consistent position in defense of historical truths, respect for the principles of international law and promotion of sustainable peace in the region,” it said.
The statements came after Israel’s Cabinet unanimously approved a proposal on June 28, recognizing the mass killings and deportations of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 as genocide.
Türkiye objects to the presentation of the 1915 incidents as “genocide,” describing them as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties.
Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Türkiye and Armenia, as well as international experts, to tackle the issue.
Parliamentary leaders from NATO member states called for stronger defense capabilities, greater allied unity and closer cooperation at the NATO Parliamentary Summit in Istanbul on Monday, underscoring the need for collective security, continued support for Ukraine and adherence to international law.
Speaking at the summit hosted by Türkiye, Bulgarian National Assembly Speaker Mihaela Dotsova said the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara presents “an opportunity to reaffirm our strong commitment to the alliance’s values, collective security and strengthening stability in the Euro-Atlantic region.”
She stressed that Bulgaria sees NATO as a cornerstone of security and pointed to growing instability and multiple conflicts in the current global environment.
Dotsova said Bulgaria continues to fulfill its commitments to collective defense and modernize its armed forces.
“Investing in defense means investing in security, resilience and the state’s ability to protect its citizens and national sovereignty,” she added.
Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic said Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, along with hybrid threats, disruptive technologies and intensifying strategic competition, are reshaping Europe’s security landscape and the functioning of societies.
“In this context, military power, of course, remains indispensable, but it is no longer sufficient on its own,” he said.
“Critical infrastructure, economic and technological progress, and political cohesion are equally important parts of the equation,” he added.
Jandrokovic stressed the need for stronger European defense capabilities in solidarity with a credible transatlantic bond.
He said Croatia is on track to allocate 3% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defense spending by 2030 and is determined to raise that figure to 5% by 2035.
Emphasizing that NATO allies form a shared security space, Jandrokovic said any weakness within that space affects the security of all allies and underlined that the alliance must be prepared for future threats.
Dutch House of Representatives Speaker Thom van Campen said parliamentary diplomacy plays a “vital role” in building trust between countries, fostering mutual understanding and strengthening transatlantic solidarity.
“We are meeting in Türkiye, which serves as a bridge between continents and cultures, and this is no coincidence,” he said, calling on allies to continue supporting one another and demonstrate that NATO is “united, determined and ready to act.”
North Macedonian Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi said “NATO 3.0” should be viewed from the perspective of a strategic restart of the alliance and stressed the need for balanced burden-sharing and increased national investments in defense capabilities.
He also said developments in the Middle East have serious implications for peace, energy markets and humanitarian conditions and called for continued diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.
Norwegian Parliament Speaker Masud Gharahkhani said his country is increasing defense production and investing in new systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles and digital solutions.
“We need more coordination. We need to accelerate our industrial capacities and production to strengthen our collective security,” he said, adding that Norway’s long-term defense plan reflects a more serious security environment and lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.
Estonian Parliament Speaker Lauri Hussar said NATO members’ decision to allocate 5% of GDP to defense by 2035 was historic and stressed the need to deepen cooperation in regional defense planning and air defense.
“Peace is never free and weakness always comes at a cost. Unity is NATO’s center of gravity,” he said, while calling for increased pressure on Russia and continued support for Ukraine.
Finnish Parliament Speaker Jussi Halla-Aho said Finland wants to actively contribute to collective deterrence, emphasizing that NATO’s strength stems from the strength of its members and that Russia can only be persuaded to end its aggression if the economic and political costs become unsustainable.
Italian Chamber of Deputies (lower house) Speaker Lorenzo Fontana said security in the Euro-Atlantic region is shaped by interconnected crises stretching from the Mediterranean and the Middle East to the Red Sea and the Gulf.
“NATO is strong when it is united. It is credible not only when it reacts to crises but also when it can prevent them,” he said.
Polish Senate Speaker Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska called for increasing resilience against Russia and said NATO’s defense preparedness and new formats of cooperation should be strengthened.
“We must support Ukraine with all our strength,” she said, adding that Poland and Türkiye play key roles as allies on NATO’s eastern flank.
Portuguese Parliament Speaker Jose Pedro Aguiar Branco said maintaining the alliance’s internal cohesion remains essential and stressed that support for Ukraine should continue to be a priority within the Euro-Atlantic security framework.
Slovak National Council Speaker Richard Rasi said Slovakia’s foreign and security policy is based on its European Union and NATO memberships and noted that the country plans to gradually increase defense spending to 5% of GDP while seeking conditions for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
British House of Lords Speaker Michael Forsyth described Türkiye as “a valuable partner in many fields at the intersection of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia,” saying Ankara plays “a vital diplomatic role in connecting regions and mediating conflicts.”
Forsyth said deterrence is less costly than conflict and collective defense is more effective than acting alone, adding that NATO allies must adapt to changes brought by artificial intelligence and cyber technologies.
He also said Ukraine is bearing the burden of resisting Russian aggression on behalf of the broader alliance and said NATO members owe Ukrainians “a great debt of gratitude.”
U.K. House of Commons Deputy Speaker Judith Cummins also stressed the need for closer cooperation among allies, saying: “At this most dangerous point in our history, we NATO members need each other.”
She warned that current challenges are becoming increasingly unpredictable and pointed to growing competition and emerging technological threats.
French NATO Parliamentary Assembly delegation head Natalia Pouzyreff recalled that the situation in the Middle East and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz had been discussed at the recent G7 Leaders’ Summit in France, which also issued a joint statement recognizing Ukraine’s territorial integrity and calling for strengthened military assistance to Kyiv.
Pouzyreff said Ukraine’s future lies in NATO and stressed that the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration would directly contribute to regional security and stability.
Czech Senate Speaker Milos Vystrcil said every NATO member has a responsibility to allocate at least 2% of its GDP to defense spending.
“Europe should assume greater responsibility for NATO’s defense because a stronger Europe means a stronger NATO,” he said.
Vystrcil said NATO’s future rests on unity among allies, fulfilling commitments, and greater European support for collective defense.
“If we are to send one message from Istanbul, it is this: When it comes to defending our freedom and democracy, we all stand shoulder to shoulder,” he added.
Czech Chamber of Deputies Speaker Tomio Okamura said countries need to strengthen their defenses before crises emerge, stressing that every nation has both the right and the duty to defend its territory, citizens, borders, and way of life.
He also called for the war in Ukraine to end as soon as possible.
Danish Parliament Speaker Soren Gade said Euro-Atlantic security has become increasingly complex and underlined the importance of maintaining NATO’s strength and intervention capability.
“As a former defense minister, I have seen firsthand the immense pressure NATO is under, but NATO remains the strongest and most successful alliance in history,” he said.
“Although the international security situation is under great pressure, I believe NATO has the necessary tools to address the challenges ahead,” Gade added.
Spanish Senate First Deputy Speaker Javier Maroto said all NATO countries should defend respect for international law in every conflict, “whether in Ukraine or the Middle East.”
He also argued that NATO reform should not mean “less U.S.” but rather greater European responsibility, regional leadership, and a larger share of the traditional defense burden.
Swedish Parliament Third Deputy Speaker Kerstin Lundgren said the agenda of the upcoming NATO Leaders Summit in Ankara would include alliance capabilities, sustainable support for Ukraine, and increasing industrial production in the defense sector.
“NATO is an alliance founded on the view that democracy, human rights, the rules-based world order, and free trade are not only great ideals but also principles that make us strong today,” she said.
Albanian Parliament Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Committee Chairman Igli Hasani said security depends on the ability to act together and reiterated Albania’s support for Ukraine.
“Security is defended not only on the battlefield but also through sustained solidarity and determination,” he said, adding that investments in defense are a strategic step toward preparedness, resilience and deterrence.
NATO Parliamentary Assembly Greek delegation Deputy Head Dimitris Keridis described Istanbul as “magnificent” and said more than 2 million Turkish citizens are expected to visit Greece this year.
Keridis believes that Türkiye should be included in the Schengen Area, adding that Greece is sincere in extending a hand of friendship.
Dagur Eggertsson, member of parliament from the Social Democratic Alliance and the chair of Iceland’s NATO parliamentary delegation, said being in Istanbul, which has connected cultures, continents, and civilizations for centuries, is a privilege.
“This city reminds us that security is never built in isolation but through dialogue, cooperation, and shared responsibility,” he said.
Eggertsson said NATO exists not only to defend territories but also to protect the principles that make peace possible, stressing that trust in democratic institutions and shared values is the real foundation of the alliance.
NATO PA Montenegro delegation head Dusko Stjepovic said wars in Europe and the Middle East, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and attempts to weaken democratic institutions show that security can no longer be viewed only from a state-centered perspective.
He said NATO is more important than ever and voiced support for strengthening the alliance’s defense capacity and increasing defense investments.
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly Ukraine delegation head, Yehor Cherniev, thanked Türkiye for organizing the 2022 negotiations in Istanbul, while saying the talks did not succeed because the conditions were not fair or acceptable for Ukraine.
Cherniev said Ukraine is beginning to regain the initiative in the war and argued that Russia should not be given an opportunity to recover and rebuild its forces.
He also said Europe’s security would remain incomplete without Ukraine’s full NATO membership.
Turkish police detained 39 suspected members of the Daesh terrorist group in coordinated raids across Istanbul after investigators alleged they collected money under the guise of religious donations to support the organization, prosecutors said Tuesday.
The operation was carried out under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office by counterterrorism and intelligence units of the Istanbul Police Department as part of an investigation into the group’s activities.
Investigators said the suspects gathered in unauthorized associations and prayer halls where they allegedly held religious lectures and discussion sessions promoting Daesh ideology. Authorities said the group collected funds from supporters under the names of fitrah, zakat and charitable donations, and used the venues to recruit followers.
According to prosecutors, the suspects promoted extremist interpretations of religious issues and claimed that Türkiye was not governed according to Islamic principles, alleging that the country’s leaders were acting outside Islam.
Prosecutors issued detention warrants for 42 suspects. Police carried out simultaneous raids at 43 locations across Istanbul, including two of the alleged illegal prayer halls.
Thirty-nine suspects were taken into custody, while searches recovered an unlicensed handgun, 50 rounds of ammunition, two knives, a drone and numerous digital devices, prosecutors said.
The investigation is ongoing.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Monday that Yerevan sees no need to respond to any potential Israeli recognition of the 1915 events, arguing that avoiding the “weaponization” of the issue serves Armenia’s national interests.
Speaking at a briefing, Pashinyan underlined that it is in the interest of Armenia not to enter into the misuse of the issue, according to state news agency Armenpress. “We see no need to respond because,” he added.
Later in the day, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that the Israeli government is seeking “to cover up its own crimes” through a politically motivated decision on the 1915 events.
Türkiye objects to the presentation of the 1915 incidents as “genocide,” describing them as a tragedy in which both sides suffered casualties.
The statements came after Israel’s Cabinet unanimously approved a proposal on June 28, recognizing the mass killings and deportations of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 as genocide.
Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Türkiye and Armenia, as well as international experts, to tackle the issue.
Three senior members of the European Commission are set to visit Türkiye on Tuesday in a rare joint trip that Ankara views as a sign of renewed momentum in relations between Türkiye and the European Union amid shifting geopolitical and security dynamics, according to Foreign Ministry sources.
European Commission Executive Vice President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner are expected to hold talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara.
Foreign Ministry sources said the simultaneous visit by three European commissioners reflects the growing strategic importance the EU attaches to relations with Türkiye as Europe confronts increasing geopolitical, security and economic challenges. The visit comes one day before Ireland assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union and is expected to contribute to the positive atmosphere that has emerged in Türkiye-EU ties over the past year.
During his meetings, Fidan is expected to reaffirm that Türkiye’s full membership in the European Union remains one of Ankara’s strategic priorities under the vision of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The Turkish minister is also expected to stress that the enlargement process should proceed based on fairness and merit and that Türkiye should participate in all EU mechanisms and engagement processes on an equal footing with other candidate countries.
Fidan will argue that Türkiye’s eventual accession would strengthen not only the country but also the European Union by enhancing its competitiveness, resilience and geopolitical influence, the ministry said.
He is expected to call on Brussels to remove restrictions that have weighed on bilateral relations since European Union foreign ministers adopted measures against Türkiye in July 2019 over tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Economic cooperation is expected to feature prominently in the discussions. Fidan is expected to press for the long-delayed modernization of the EU-Türkiye Customs Union, saying negotiations should begin without further delay. He is also expected to underline Türkiye’s role as an integral part of European manufacturing supply chains and call for Turkish-origin goods produced within the Customs Union framework to be treated as European products.
Migration and visa liberalization are also expected to be on the agenda. Ankara is expected to call for the completion of the visa liberalization dialogue and for more effective implementation of recent measures aimed at facilitating Schengen visa applications for Turkish citizens, including commercial truck drivers.
Fidan is also expected to advocate closer cooperation on regional connectivity projects spanning the Black Sea, South Caucasus and Central Asia, describing Türkiye as a key partner in efforts to strengthen regional stability and economic resilience.
Regional security issues, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, developments in the South Caucasus, Gaza, Syria and Iran, are expected to be discussed, with Türkiye emphasizing the need for regular, action-oriented dialogue and coordination with the EU.
Since the beginning of 2026, Türkiye and the EU have resumed high-level dialogue meetings on trade, migration and security, science and innovation, climate and economic affairs. Türkiye was also invited to informal meetings of EU foreign ministers, while the European Investment Bank has partially resumed operations in the country.
European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are also expected to travel to Türkiye alongside Kallas for the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8.
The EU remains Türkiye’s largest trading partner, while Türkiye is the bloc’s fifth-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade reached approximately $233 billion in 2025.
The next Türkiye-EU High-Level Economic Dialogue is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on July 2 and is expected to focus on deepening trade, investment and financial cooperation.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss bilateral ties as well as regional and global developments, Türkiye’s Communications Directorate said Monday.
During the call, Erdoğan noted Türkiye aims to further strengthen relations with Germany and underlined the importance of continuing mutual steps to advance cooperation between the two countries.
The leaders also discussed the NATO leaders’ summit scheduled to be held in Ankara. Erdoğan said Türkiye expects the summit to demonstrate a strong will to strengthen Europe’s defense within NATO while preserving the transatlantic bond.
Erdoğan also stressed thatTürkiye was making intensive efforts to help bring Russia’s war against Ukraine to an end through a lasting peace. He said Ankara was continuing work to revive negotiations and restart the diplomatic process between Moscow and Kyiv.
Türkiye has maintained contacts with both Russia and Ukraine throughout the war and has repeatedly offered to facilitate talks aimed at ending the conflict.
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