European Union officials raised concerns about the arrest of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the detention of protesters during a high-level economic meeting with Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek on Thursday, the European Commission said.
The EU–Turkey High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED), held in Brussels for the first time since 2019, focused on strengthening economic cooperation but also included what the European Commission described as a “frank exchange” on Turkey’s recent treatment of elected officials, civil society actors and journalists amid nationwide unrest.
In a statement after the meeting, the European Commission said the EU side used the opportunity to reiterate its expectations for democratic standards from Turkey, a candidate country and longstanding member of the Council of Europe.
“Vibrant democracies and the rule of law provide the strongest foundations for maintaining the confidence of international investors and preserving macroeconomic stability,” the statement said.
The meeting was attended by European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis and Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, along with Şimşek. It marked a broader EU effort to renew political and economic dialogue with Ankara following years of strained relations.
EU officials specifically referenced concerns over the March 19 detention of İmamoğlu, a prominent opposition figure and potential 2028 presidential contender, which triggered Turkey’s largest street protests in over a decade. Rights groups and foreign governments have criticized Ankara’s heavy-handed response, which has included the detention of thousands of protesters and increased pressure on media outlets.
The Brussels meeting also covered structural reforms, macroeconomic outlook and plans to improve Turkey’s investment climate in coordination with European financial institutions. However, the EU’s focus on democratic standards and civil liberties underscored the political tensions that continue to complicate engagement between the two sides.
The European Commission said another round of talks is scheduled to take place in Turkey in 2026.