The European Union needs Turkey, Turkish State Minister and Head of the Turkish delegation on joining the EU Egemen Bahish said at a news conference in Turkey's Samsun city, Anadolu news agency reported.
Turkey-EU cooperation began with the Ankara agreement signed in 1964. The EU announced that Copenhagen criteria set in 2002 are key to Turkey's EU membership. Turkey carried out large judicial and political reforms under the criteria.
Official talks on Turkey's EU admission began in 2005.
Some experts believe despite Turkey's increasing activity in the Middle East and Caucasus policy, there is stagnation in carrying out reforms due to membership at the EU
"The European Union need Turkey rather than Turkey needs EU," Bahish said.