Ulugbek-pilot
I don't think THY require its pilots to be EU passport holders. They have asked myself and about 30 others to get Turkish ATPLs , which we are doing. I have never been questioned about EU residency.
I think Killaroo is mostly correct in his post. Brussels whispered to Turkey that their EU submission would be looked upon more favourably if they could employ some out of work Euopean pilots. The licensing requirements are more of a government thing than an airline requirement!
All a bit pointless now with the way the Turkish lira is travelling.