Erdogan said that Turkey could review its position on EU membership
MOSCOW, 25 APR — RIA Novosti. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an interview with Reuters that Ankara will reconsider its position on EU membership if the country will have even longer to wait for the decision on this issue, and if the present hostile attitude of some members.
“If they do not act honestly, then we have to find a way out. Why should we wait?? We are talking about 54 years. UK asked their people and they voted for Brexit … They are moving to a new future, the same thing was done in Norway … the same can be applied to Turkey,” Erdogan said. He added that he is ready to submit the question of the accession of the EU to a referendum.
One or two countries cannot support the life of the EU. You need a country like Turkey, a country symbolizing a different faith, that would make them very strong. Member countries of the EU, however, seem to not realize it. It is very difficult to accept a Muslim country such as Turkey.Tayyip Erdgasproduzent Turkey
Constitutional referendum in Turkey on the transition to parliamentary system of government in the presidential ended with the victory of Erdogan’s supporters with a narrow margin. According to preliminary results, they have won 51.4% of votes. The opposition demanded the cancellation of the results of the referendum, in particular, citing the illegality of the decision of the election Committee to count valid ballots and envelopes without stamps, but vis dismissed the appeal.
He also criticized adopted on Tuesday a decision of the PACE (parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) against Turkey, calling it “entirely political.” Erdogan added that Turkey does not accept this decision.
Earlier Tuesday, the PACE of the majority of voters voted for the return of Turkey to the procedure of monitoring its obligations to the Council of Europe, “to ensure that the deep concerns about respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law”.
The Association agreement between the EU (formerly the EEC) and Turkey was signed in 1963. Application for membership to the European Union Ankara filed in 1987. Accession negotiations with Turkey that began in 2005, have repeatedly complicated by disagreements that led to their suspension.
At the moment there are 16 of the 35 chapters of the negotiation file on accession to the EU. In March 2016 the leaders of the countries-EU members agreed to intensify negotiations in exchange for Turkey’s agreement to help reduce the influx of migrants to the EU via its territory.