Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 6
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Turkey has been waiting 50 years for accession to the EU, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during his official visit to Finland, TRT Haber TV channel reported on Wednesday.
According to Erdogan, despite the fact that Turkey beats some European countries in economic development, double standards are held against Turkey.
He also stressed that Ankara has done everything necessary for accession.
Earlier, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said it is possible that Turkey will not want to be an EU member.
According to the president, it could be that Turkey will choose the path of Norway in the future.
Earlier, Turkish Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bakhish said that political barriers hinder Turkey's accession to the European Union.
According to him, prolongation of Turkey's accession process to the EU leads to the country's citizens losing their trust in this structure.
He also stressed that Ankara will continue reforms for accession to the EU.
Earlier, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc stated that Turkey's accession to the European Union had lost its attraction for the citizens of the country.
According to him, if previously 75 per cent of the country expressed their preference for Turkey's accession to the EU, now only 20 per cent wanted to go ahead.
Earlier it was reported that Egemen Bakhish said Turkey may become a full member of the EU in the coming years if no artificial barriers are imposed upon it.
He stressed that Turkey had fulfilled 65 per cent of its obligations to the EU.