The European Committee of the Regions' (CoR) Working Group on Relations with Türkiye held an inter-institutional debate on the state of EU–Türkiye relations and the defence of local democracy in Türkiye, amid growing concerns over the arrest of opposition mayors, political pressure on municipalities and the broader deterioration of democratic standards. Representatives from the European Parliament, Council of Europe and the CoR stressed that respect for democratic principles, the rule of law and local self-government must remain central to the EU's engagement with Türkiye and warned that attacks on local democracy risk undermining political stability and democratic resilience.
Opening the meeting, Working Group Chair Jelena Drenjanin (SE/EPP) expressed regret over the absence of the Turkish members of the Working Group following the Turkish government's decision not to participate in events organised under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. She stressed that boycotting an EU Presidency and refusing to recognise an EU Member State runs contrary to the spirit of cooperation expected from a candidate country. Drenjanin also highlighted the continuing pressure on opposition-led municipalities, warning that democratic backsliding at local level often escalates into wider challenges for democracy and the rule of law.
"Local democracy is the foundation of democratic resilience. When elected mayors are removed, arrested or prevented from carrying out their mandate, the voice of millions of citizens is weakened. The European Union must continue to stand firmly with those defending democracy, pluralism and the rule of law in Türkiye," said Jelena Drenjanin.
During the debate, Magdalena Adamowicz (PL/EPP), Member of the European Parliament and member of the jury of the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award, underlined that European institutions, cities and regions must use all available instruments to support democratic actors in Türkiye. Referring to the decision to award this year's Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award to Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, she stressed that the distinction sends a strong signal of solidarity to those defending democracy and local self-government.
On behalf of the EPP Group, Hanna Zdanowska (PL/EPP), Mayor of Łódź, lamented the fact that Turkish members were unable to participate in the meeting, reaffirming the Group's longstanding support for dialogue and cooperation with local and regional authorities from candidate countries. She stressed that engagement should remain possible under all Presidencies of the Council of the European Union and welcomed the decision to proceed with the meeting despite the absence of the Turkish delegation. The EPP Group underlined that a credible and forward-looking EU–Türkiye relationship can only be built on mutual respect, constructive engagement, democratic standards and a genuine commitment to the rule of law and European values.
The discussion forms part of the CoR's broader efforts to support local democracy and democratic resilience in candidate countries. The meeting took place during Enlargement Days 2026, the CoR's flagship enlargement event, which brings together local and regional leaders, representatives of EU institutions and partners from candidate countries to discuss the future of enlargement, democratic governance and the role of local authorities in the accession process.