PM Erdogan says EU should clear way for Turkey accession

"EU should stop putting obstacles constantly," Erdogan told a joint press conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov in Sofia.

"Turkey has been resolutely continuing accession talks with EU," Erdogan said. However, he said that EU has been stalling Turkey's membership bid.

"I do not know how long such a stalling will go on," Erdogan said. "But I must say that none of the current EU-member countries have experienced such a treatment. It has been 50 years and Turkey has been stalled since that time. Turkey has been facing different obstacles."

In 2005, Turkey started accession talks with EU. However, a year later EU suspended talks in eight of the 35 chapters which candidate countries must successfully negotiate prior to full membership. A total of 13 chapters have opened since that date.

In response to a question whether or not Turkey would hold a referendum to decide on joining the 27-nation bloc just as Norway did in 1994, Erdogan said Norway had completed accession negotiations and then held a referendum on EU membership.

He said, "we are still in negotiation process right now. So, it is out of question to make such a decision before negotiations are concluded."


/World Bulletin/