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Erdogan: Turkey sees its future in Europe

Tuesday, 24 November 2020 3:12 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 24 November 2020 3:12 AM ]

Rahshan Saglam
Press TV, Istanbul

As the European Council is set to convene in December to discuss the tensions with Turkey, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for dialogue but warned the EU not to become a “tool for enmities” during escalating tensions over the Eastern Mediterranean.

In his latest statement on Turkey-EU ties, Erdogan said _{Turkey sees its future in Europe}, and mentioned Turkey’s post-pandemic plans to improve Judicial infrastructure and strengthen the economy and other reforms.

Observers, however, say Turkey does not stand any chance to become an EU member despite all negotiations.

Earlier this week, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said Turkey isn’t sending “positive signals” and needs to change its attitude fundamentally regarding the hydrocarbon dispute with EU members Greece and Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea.

European leaders say they will watch for Turkey's steps in the next couple of weeks before discussing any potential sanctions in their upcoming summit.

Turkey is still a candidate to become an EU member. The bloc decided to effectively freeze accession talks in June 2018 over disagreements on accession terms.

Many here remain pessimistic about the future of accession talks despite Ankara’s ongoing efforts to meet the EU's demands. Meanwhile some economists even warn that the accession could harm Turkey’s economy.

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