Türkiye has criticized the European Union's latest "Common Understanding" document, describing its assessments on Türkiye as lacking objectivity and strategic vision, while urging the bloc to adopt a more constructive approach based on mutual respect and shared interests.

The Presidency's Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran said the evaluations concerning Türkiye contained in the EU's "Common Understanding" document, published on July 15, 2026, failed to reflect an objective or forward-looking perspective.

"The assessments concerning Türkiye contained in the European Union's 'Common Understanding' document published on 15 July 2026 are far from being objective and strategically forward-looking," Duran said.

He argued that the document overlooks Türkiye's official status as a candidate country for EU membership, saying the approach once again demonstrates the bloc's lack of a long-term vision for a common future with Türkiye.

"This approach, which disregards Türkiye's status as a candidate country, once again exposes the European Union's lack of a vision for a shared future," he stated.

Duran also pointed to Türkiye's growing strategic importance within the Euro-Atlantic security architecture, noting that the recent NATO Summit in Ankara had reaffirmed the country's indispensable role in regional and transatlantic security.

"At a time when NATO's Ankara Summit clearly reaffirmed Türkiye's indispensable role in Euro-Atlantic security, statements that ignore this reality do not contribute to constructive dialogue," he said.

Addressing the EU's references to the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus, Duran criticized what he described as the bloc's recurring one-sided rhetoric, arguing that such positions neither reflect international law nor historical realities.

"The recurring one-sided rhetoric on the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus neither reflects international law nor historical realities. A lasting solution can only be achieved through an impartial and realistic approach based on equity," he said.

Calling for a more balanced relationship between Ankara and Brussels, Duran emphasized the importance of dialogue rooted in fairness and mutual interests.

"It is of the utmost importance for the European Union to adopt a more responsible discourse, free from prejudice and grounded in mutual respect and shared interests," he added.

The remarks come amid ongoing differences between Türkiye and the European Union over a range of issues, including accession negotiations, the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus, and regional security, despite continued cooperation on trade, migration, and defense matters. (ILKHA)