EU to Force Turkey to Accept NATO Reform Program

The European Union (EU) has introduced a new reform program aimed at strengthening relations between the EU and NATO, while complicating the process of imposing vetoes among member states. According to a report by Armenpress, the Turkish media outlet DemokratHaber has referenced German news agencies in reporting on this initiative.

Following French President Emmanuel Macron's statement about the 'brain death' of NATO a year ago, the reform project is intended to breathe 'new life' into the alliance. The German news agency DPA reported that an expert commission, initiated by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and composed of former ministers and diplomats, has completed its report on the reform proposal.

The reform project consists of 140 specific proposals and has been sent to NATO's 30 member countries for discussion at the upcoming meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels scheduled for December 1-2. Among the proposals are mechanisms for rapid political responses to security threats or international crises, and regular meetings among member country's ministers, aimed at fostering closer cooperation.

However, the project includes proposals likely to provoke discontent from Turkey, which may even block them. According to German analysts, under EU pressure, Turkey will eventually be compelled to accept these suggestions.

As reported by Deutsche Welle Türkçe, the reform program also includes a provision allowing leaders of non-NATO EU countries to participate in discussions held during NATO summits. This proposal aims to further enhance cooperation between the EU and NATO, but it seems inevitable that Turkey will veto it due to its stance on the Cyprus issue. Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus and refers to it as the 'Greek administration of Southern Cyprus.'

The UK, which recently left the EU, is also not particularly supportive of the NATO-EU rapprochement plan. EU countries that are not NATO members include Southern Cyprus, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Malta, and Sweden. Turkey has previously blocked similar proposals; in 2017, it obstructed Austria's inclusion in NATO partnership programs due to political tensions with Vienna.

Additionally, it is expected that, besides Turkey, Hungary will oppose the proposal that complicates the imposition of vetoes by member countries.