Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 6
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan questioned the sincerity of the European Union (EU) on the issue related to the country's accession to this organization, Anadolu agency reported on Jan. 6.
He said the EU should reconsider its policy with respect to Turkey.
"Instead of resolving its own problems, the EU tries to teach Turkey," said Erdogan. "The level of racism and discrimination against Muslims is growing in Europe."
The official negotiations on Turkey's accession to the EU were resumed in 2005.
Earlier, Turkey's then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the EU continues to mislead Turkey [on the accession issue] and this upsets the country.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc earlier said that if previously 75 percent of Turkey's population supported the country's accession to the EU, currently, this figure has dropped to 20 percent.
Turkey has fulfilled 65 percent of its commitments to the EU for accession to this organization.
Earlier, Turkish Minister for EU Affairs Volkan Bozkir said the negotiations between Turkey and EU can't continue in the format required by the organization.
He said the EU pursues an arrogant policy with respect to Turkey, which is inadmissible for the country. Bozkir added that Turkey would not be concerned if EU adopts a decision not to accept it to the membership.
Furthermore, the minister said that democracy in Turkey is at a higher level than in some European countries.
Edited by CN
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