The European Parliament’s vote to exclude Turkey from defence-related research activities under Horizon Europe represents one of the most consequential adjustments to the EU’s research and security governance landscape in recent years. The decision, adopted in Strasbourg after a contentious debate, introduces targeted restrictions preventing Turkish universities, private contractors, technology start-ups, and public agencies from participating in consortia that involve defence, dual-use, or strategic security applications. The measure does not affect Turkey’s involvement in civilian pillars of Horizon Europe but draws a firm boundary around programmes deemed critical for the EU’s emerging defence innovation ecosystem.
According to the legislative resolution, members of Parliament argued that Ankara no longer meets the trust-based criteria required for participation in sensitive research domains. The text cites multiple areas of divergence: Turkish acquisition of Russian S-400 missile systems, tensions with EU member states in the Eastern Mediterranean, and long-standing concerns about the erosion of judicial independence and media freedoms. These elements, lawmakers contended, collectively undermine the reliability of Turkey as a partner in areas where technological confidentiality, export control alignment, and policy convergence are essential prerequisites.
During the plenary session, proponents of the exclusion described it as a defensive rather than punitive step. They highlighted that Horizon Europe’s security research involves advanced data systems, cyber-defence prototypes, quantum-enabled encryption platforms, AI-enhanced situational awareness tools, and emerging materials with military potential. Participation in such projects requires not only technical competence but also adherence to strict governance, data-handling norms, and alignment with the EU’s external action framework. Several parliamentarians insisted that allowing access without robust trust conditions exposes the Union to potential leaks, misuse of sensitive technologies, or misalignment in export-related decisions.
Opponents of the measure stressed that the exclusion risks deepening geopolitical rifts and diluting longstanding cooperation between European and Turkish research bodies. They noted that Turkey has previously participated in multiple EU research programmes, contributing to scientific productivity and joint innovation. Some warned that pushing Ankara away from European frameworks could drive it toward alternative technological partnerships, including with non-Western powers, thereby reducing EU influence and undermining collective NATO capabilities. This line of argument held particular relevance given the complex dynamics of European security, where cooperation—even among countries with political disagreements—can serve as a stabilising factor.
Despite the debate, the final vote reflected a growing consensus within the European Parliament that strategic research cannot be insulated from broader geopolitical concerns. Over the past decade, the EU has progressively tightened control over third-country access to security-related programmes, building on a policy trajectory established during the creation of the European Defence Fund and subsequent export-control recommendations. The Parliament’s decision to apply similar logic to Horizon Europe signals a cohesive shift in EU policy: sensitive technological development should proceed primarily within the circle of highly trusted partners whose political alignment and regulatory frameworks meet established EU standards.
Turkey’s reaction to the vote was swift and strongly worded. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement declaring the decision “unfounded and counterproductive,” arguing that Ankara remains committed to NATO interoperability and has cooperated extensively with European states in counterterrorism, border management, and energy security. Turkish officials emphasised that exclusion from defence research does not reflect the reality of on-the-ground operational collaboration and accused the EU of allowing political disputes to overshadow scientific and security priorities.
The statement also warned that the decision would damage not only Turkish institutions but also European researchers who rely on extensive transnational networks. Several Turkish universities and defence-related research centres have historically ranked among leading participants in EU-funded science projects. Industry representatives in Ankara expressed concern that the exclusion will deprive Turkish innovators of valuable access to European markets and partnerships, thereby affecting competitiveness in emerging technologies such as aerospace components, unmanned systems, and advanced composite materials.
European officials responded by underscoring that Horizon Europe association agreements always require adherence to clear criteria, and that deviations from democratic norms or security alignment must be addressed. While the Commission has not formally disengaged from ongoing dialogue with Turkey on science and technology cooperation, the new mandate from Parliament obliges it to implement screening measures that will effectively prevent Turkish entities from joining sensitive defence-related calls for proposals. These mechanisms may involve enhanced vetting, consortium eligibility checks, and stricter due-diligence procedures for partners from associated countries.
The exclusion comes at a moment when the EU is accelerating its efforts to strengthen internal defence innovation. Member states have increased investment in joint procurement, military mobility, and rapid technological development in response to broadening security challenges, including instability in neighbouring regions and intensified technological competition globally. Horizon Europe, while primarily a civilian research framework, includes elements that overlap with security priorities, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity, critical infrastructure resilience, space-based sensing, and advanced autonomous platforms. These overlaps have raised concerns that allowing participation by actors not fully aligned with EU security objectives could undercut strategic coherence.
Although the Parliament’s decision is binding for the Commission’s operational rules, some member states remain cautious about potential diplomatic consequences. Several EU capitals maintain significant economic, energy, and humanitarian cooperation with Ankara. The exclusion may complicate negotiations on other dossiers, including migration management, customs union modernisation, and energy transit agreements. Diplomatic missions have indicated that while security considerations must be paramount, channels for constructive engagement with Turkey should remain open to avoid unintended escalations.
Analysts note that the vote reflects a broader recalibration of the EU’s relationship with Turkey, one that prioritises predictability, rule-of-law benchmarks, and strategic alignment. As the EU integrates more defence-related elements into its industrial and technological base, partner countries that seek association must meet increasingly stringent standards. The Turkish case illustrates how political and geopolitical factors now directly influence access to research funding previously viewed as technocratic and apolitical. This shift places added emphasis on diplomatic engagement if cooperation in other areas is to remain intact.
The immediate impact on ongoing projects is expected to be limited, as most defence-related calls for proposals involving Turkish institutions have already concluded under previous frameworks. However, future collaboration will face significantly tighter restrictions. Universities and research institutions that rely on Turkish expertise may need to restructure consortia, adjust project scopes, or seek alternative partners. For large defence contractors and high-tech SMEs, the exclusion could reshape competitive dynamics, particularly in areas where Turkish firms have developed strong capabilities, such as drone manufacturing, aerospace engineering, and advanced electronics.
In Ankara, industry associations have indicated plans to lobby for expanded cooperation with non-EU partners to offset the loss of Horizon Europe access. However, experts warn that shifting away from European networks could hinder integration with global standards, including those governing cybersecurity, interoperability, and export controls. Some argue that the EU’s decision may serve as leverage to encourage reforms within Turkey, while others believe it could entrench divergences if political tensions escalate further.
Within the European Parliament, the vote also highlights internal debates about the balance between openness and security in research ecosystems. While many lawmakers support the principle of scientific internationalism, they contend that national security and technological sovereignty require selective restrictions. In committee sessions leading up to the vote, rapporteurs referenced instances of technology transfer concerns and emphasised the need for the EU to mitigate strategic vulnerabilities in emerging technologies. The Turkish case became a focal point for these broader arguments.
Going forward, the Commission is expected to publish updated guidelines detailing the practical implementation of the exclusion. These guidelines will outline screening procedures, risk-assessment protocols, and criteria under which associated countries may regain access to defence-related components. Officials emphasise that association status is dynamic and contingent upon evolving political and regulatory circumstances. If Turkey demonstrates closer alignment with EU security and foreign policy standards, avenues for re-integration may eventually open, though no timetable has been provided.
For researchers across Europe, the decision introduces new operational considerations. Consortia leaders will face increased administrative requirements when handling sensitive technologies or data. National agencies tasked with coordinating Horizon Europe participation may need to update domestic guidelines to align with new EU rules. Universities that previously relied on longstanding partnerships with Turkish institutions will need to reassess collaboration strategies to comply with the revised framework.
Despite its targeted nature, the exclusion has symbolic implications for the EU’s approach to its wider neighbourhood. It reinforces the message that participation in Europe’s strategic research architecture requires not only technical merit but also political convergence and adherence to shared principles. In that sense, the vote extends beyond EU-Turkey relations, shaping the expectations placed on all non-EU partners seeking involvement in advanced research domains.
As the Commission prepares to operationalise the Parliament’s decision, governments, research institutions, and defence industry actors are closely monitoring the implications. While the move is likely to draw further diplomatic exchanges between Brussels and Ankara, officials across the EU insist the decision reflects a broader consensus: sensitive defence research must be insulated from geopolitical uncertainty. Whether this approach will contribute to long-term stability or catalyse new tensions remains an open question, one that will shape the future of EU–Turkey cooperation across multiple domains.
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