EU origin status for Turkish products

Question for written answer E-000926/2026
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nikolas Farantouris (The Left)

In recent hours, the Turkish press has been reporting statements by Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat, who is claiming that the European Commission's proposed regulation on the acceleration of industrial capacity and decarbonisation in strategic sectors[1] effectively recognises the customs union with Turkey, in a way that extends, in principle, the EU origin status to Turkish-made products.[2]

However, the EU-Türkiye customs union concluded in 1995 (the upgrading of which remains 'frozen') does not entail Türkiye's participation in the single market nor equivalent access to European industrial regimes or programmes.[3] Turkish industry operates in a very different regulatory environment from that of the EU. The acceptance of an equivalent regime will lead to distortions of competition, circumvention of European production rules and the transfer of industrial activity outside the EU.

Furthermore, while the EU is trying to strengthen its strategic autonomy and the resilience of its production and critical infrastructures, the indirect integration of a non-EU country, which threatens the sovereignty and security of Member States, into critical industrial policies will have serious trade and geopolitical consequences.

In view of the above:

• 1.Is it the Commission's intention to tacitly upgrade the customs union through secondary legislation?
• 2.Is it really the case that Turkish products can be considered de facto of European origin?
• 3.What policies does the Commission intend to use to ensure the functioning of healthy and fair competition within the framework of the EU's strategic autonomy?

Submitted: 5.3.2026

• [1] https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/document/download/9bc8eb85-4d43-4025-be7b-c86b9f3648ec_en?filename=Proposal%20establishing%20measures%20for%20industrial%20capacity%20and%20decarbonisation%20in%20strategic%20sectors%20.pdf
• [2] https://www.turkiyetoday.com/business/trade-minister-hails-turkiyes-inclusion-in-eus-made-in-eu-framework-as-milestone-3215620?s=2.
• [3] https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/turkey-customs-unions-and-preferential-arrangements_en.