Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan expressed the possibility of Turkey severing its ties with the European Union in response to a question regarding a recent European Parliament report concerning Turkey.
The report, ratified earlier in the week, stated that the existing conditions are not conducive for the resumption of Turkey’s accession dialogue with the 27-member European coalition. It suggested that the EU should contemplate initiating “a parallel and realistic framework” to maintain its relationship with Ankara.
Despite being in the queue to become a member of the EU for more than two decades, Turkey’s progression towards membership has hit a roadblock in recent times. This delay primarily stems from the EU’s apprehensions regarding potential human rights breaches and adherence to legal principles within Turkey.
Turkey’s Response to the EU’s Report
Erdogan, speaking to the media before his journey to the US, remarked that the EU appears to be distancing itself from Turkey. He noted, “In light of these events, we will assess our position and if the need arises, we are prepared to sever our ties with the EU.”
Earlier in the week, the Turkish Foreign Ministry criticized the European Parliament’s report, dismissing it as being marred by baseless claims and bias. They added that the report adopted “a superficial and lacking foresight” stance concerning Turkey’s relations with the EU.
*Additional news input sourced from Reuters
