Turkey has got "tired" of its EU membership process and it cannot request for the bloc's membership indefinitely, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday, Anadolu reported.

“We cannot continuously ask the EU ‘please take us, too’ now,” Erdogan said at a joint press conference with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Turkey applied for membership in the European Economic Community, a precursor to the EU, in 1987. </s> Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he is "seriously tired" of waiting for the European Union to decide if it wants his country as a member.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he is "seriously tired" of waiting for the European Union to decide if it wants his country as a member.

Mr Macron confirmed that Turkey's wait for EU membership was far from over, and suggested a partnership in the meantime. The current process "does not allow for an outcome in the coming years," Mr Macron said during a joint news conference with Mr Erdogan, adding that stringing Turkey along was hypocritical.

Mr Erdogan made it plain that Turkey would not wait forever. "One cannot permanently implore and wait to be finally included," he said, adding that frustration might tempt Ankara to turn its back to Europe.

Ties between Turkey and Europe worsened last year amid mass arrests and firings carried out by Mr Erdogan's government following a July 2016 coup attempt. Relations deteriorated further after authorities in several countries prevented Turkish ministers from holding political rallies to court expatriates' votes in a referendum to expand the president's powers.

"Unfortunately, we did the first steps in 1963. And it's now been 54 years that Turkey has been waiting in the antechamber of the EU," Mr Erdogan said.

"We should... see if we cannot rethink this relationship, not in the framework of the (EU) integration process, but perhaps a cooperation, a partnership," he said, adding the main goal must be to keep Turkey - a Nato member - "anchored" in Europe and its "future... built looking towards Europe and with Europe". Mr Macron and Mr Erdogan also discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the fight against terror and the war in Syria.

France and Turkish officials also signed defence, banking and commercial deals, including the planned sale of 25 Airbus A330s to Turkish Airlines. The trip was Mr Erdogan's first to France since his government strongly cracked down on suspected opponents following the failed coup.

About 50,000 people have been arrested and 110,000 others removed from public sector jobs in Turkey. Many have protested they are innocent. Protests over deteriorating press freedoms and human rights abuses in Turkey greeted Mr Erdogan upon his arrival. About 30 activists from Reporters Without Borders held images of jailed journalists outside the Turkish embassy.

A dozen demonstrators, mainly ethnic Kurds, later tried to reach the presidential Elysee Palace, but police pushed them back. The French Communist Party and several left-wing parties have criticised Mr Erdogan's visit to France, which came the day before the fifth anniversary of the killings in Paris of three Kurdish women activists. "The French judicial system has pointed out Turkish secret services' involvement in this crime," the Communist Party said.

Mr Macron said he raised the issues of media freedom and fundamental human rights with Mr Erdogan, giving the Turkish leader a list of journalists and non-governmental workers he thinks were wrongly targeted during the post-coup crackdown. "We will find concrete and real solutions that will allow the few cases to be settled, and to settle what has sometimes been a misunderstanding, a harmful misunderstanding," Mr Macron said. Mr Erdogan responded that some "columnists and opinion leaders are the gardeners of terrorism". </s> Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Ankara is "tired" of its sluggish European Union membership process, noting that it cannot indefinitely be requesting to join the bloc.

His comments on Friday came during a visit to Paris, where he held talks with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.

"We cannot continuously ask the EU, 'please take us, too' now," Erdogan said during a joint news conference, accusing the bloc of leaving Turkey "waiting outside the door" of the bloc for decades.

Turkey applied for membership in the European Economic Community, a precursor to the EU, in 1987. It became eligible for EU membership in 1997 and accession talks began in 2005. However, these negotiations have been practically frozen, with no progress made in recent years.

"When we ask for the reason, the EU cannot tell us. And, at first they were preventing us via 15 [EU policy] chapters; later the number of the chapters regarding us was increased to 35."

In order to become a member of the bloc, Turkey has to successfully conclude negotiations with the EU in 35 policy chapters that involve reforms and the adoption of European standards.

'Real focus' on Turkey-EU ties

Macron also struck a pessimistic tone about Turkey's stalled EU bid, saying the dialogue between the two sides should perhaps be "rethought ... not in the framework of membership but maybe

of cooperation or partnership".



"Recent developments and choices do not allow any progress," the French president said, noting, however, that "as France, we believe that future of Turkey and Turkish people should be in Europe".

A number of EU member states has condemned the Turkish government's arrests and purges of tens of thousands of people after a failed coup attempt in July 2016. Local and international rights groups have accused Ankara of using the putsch bid as a pretext to silence opposition in the country.

The government has said the purges and detentions are aimed at removing from state institutions and other parts of society the supporters of Fethullah Gulen, a US-based, self-exiled religious leader blamed by Ankara for the attempted coup.

"Turkey is ruled by law," Erdogan said at the press conference. "Europe always tells us that judiciary must be independent. Well, in Turkey, our judiciary is independent. They make their own decisions independently."

For his part, Macron said "democracy must be strong against terrorism because the legitimacy of the state means it must protect its citizens. But at the same time our democracies must respect the rule of law".

Erdogan's visit to France was his first since the failed coup attempt, and one of only a handful to Europe. He was confronted by a dozen human rights protesters who attempted to block his arrival to Elysee Palace.

Al Jazeera's Natacha Butler, reporting from Paris, said that "there was a real focus on Turkey's relationship with the EU, because it really has deteriorated over the past two years".

She added that Macron "raised the issue of human rights" but also noted that "he is very pragmatic".

"He [Macron] does not believe that that should necessarily get in the way of Turkey having a good relationship with France, and Turkey cooperating on issues such as controlling undocumented migration to Europe and the fight against terrorism,'" said Butler. </s> Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Ankara is "tired" of its sluggish European Union membership process, noting that it cannot indefinitely be requesting to join the bloc.

His comments on Friday came during a visit to Paris, where he held talks his his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.

"We cannot continuously ask the EU, 'please take us, too' now," Erdogan said during a joint news conference, accusing the bloc of leaving Turkey "waiting outside the door" of the bloc for decades.

Turkey applied for membership in the European Economic Community, a precursor to the EU, in 1987. It became eligible for EU membership in 1997 and accession talks began in 2005. However, these negotiations have been practically frozen, with no progress made in recent years.

"When we ask for the reason, the EU cannot tell us. And, at first they were preventing us via 15 [EU policy] chapters; later the number of the chapters regarding us was increased to 35."

In order to become a member of the bloc, Turkey has to successfully conclude negotiations with the EU in 35 policy chapters that involve reforms and the adoption of European standards.

Macron also struck a pessimistic tone about Turkey's stalled EU bid, saying the dialogue between the two sides should perhaps be "rethought ... not in the framework of membership but maybe 

of cooperation or or partnership".

 

"Recent developments and choices do not allow any progress," the French president said, noting, however, that "as France, we believe that future of Turkey and Turkish people should be in Europe".

A number of EU member states has condemned the Turkish government's arrests and purges of tens of thousands of people after a failed coup attempt in July 2016. Local and international rights groups have accused Ankara of using the putsch bid as a pretext to silence opposition in the country.

The government has said the purges and detentions are aimed at removing from state institutions and other parts of society the supporters of Fethullah Gulen, a US-based, self-exiled religious leader blamed by Ankara for the attempted coup.

"Turkey is ruled by law," Erdogan said at the press conference. "Europe always tells us that judiciary must be independent. Well, in Turkey, our judiciary is independent. They make their own decisions independently."

For his part, Macron said "democracy must be strong against terrorism because the legitimacy of the state means it must protect its citizens. But at the same time our democracies must respect the rule of law".

Erdogan's visit to France was his first since the failed coup attempt, and one of only a handful to Europe. He was confronted by a dozen human rights protesters who attempted to block his arrival to Elysee Palace.

Al Jazeera's Natacha Butler, reporting from Paris, said that "there was a real focus on Turkey's relationship with the EU, because it really has deteriorated over the past two years".

She added that Macron "raised the issue of human rights" but also noted that "he is very pragmatic".

"He [Macron] does not believe that that should necessarily get in the way of Turkey having a good relationship with France, and Turkey cooperating on issues such as controlling undocumented migration to Europe and the fight against terrorism,'" said Butler. </s> President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he is tired of the sluggish European Union membership process and has accused the bloc of leaving his country waiting outside the door.

His comments were made on Friday during a visit to France where he discussed the system with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.

In a joint news conference, he said: 'We cannot continuously ask the EU, 'please take us, too' now,' as he claimed the EU had left Turkey 'waiting outside the door' of the bloc for decades.

Turkey first applied for membership in the European Economic Community, a precursor to the EU, in 1987.

It became eligible for EU membership in 1997 with initial talks beginning in 2005.

However, negotiations have been frozen since with no progress made in recent years.

Speaking yesterday, he said: 'When we ask for the reason, the EU cannot tell us. And, at first they were preventing us via 15 chapters; later the number of the chapters regarding us was increased to 35.'

In order to become a member of the bloc, Turkey has to successfully conclude negotiations with the EU in 35 policy chapters that involve reforms and the adoption of European standards.

Ties between Turkey and Europe worsened last year amid mass arrests and firings carried out by Erdogan's government following a July 2016 coup attempt.

Relations deteriorated further after authorities in several countries prevented Turkish ministers from holding political rallies to court expatriates' votes in a referendum to expand the president's powers.

Erdogan unleashed a series of insults at NATO allies, accusing European officials of racism, harboring terrorists and behaving like Nazis.

The Turkish president was less bombastic, but just as emphatic, on Friday while discussing his country's decades-long pursuit of Europe's acceptance.

'Unfortunately, we did the first steps in 1963. And it's now been 54 years that Turkey has been waiting in the antechamber of the EU,' Erdogan said.

Macron said the two leaders held 'frank' talks on Turkey's bid for EU membership and the human rights situation in Turkey - a major sticking point.

'We should ... see if we cannot rethink this relationship, not in the framework of the (EU) integration process, but perhaps a cooperation, a partnership,' he said, adding the main goal must be to keep Turkey - a NATO member - 'anchored' in Europe and its 'future ... built looking toward Europe and with Europe.'

Macron and Erdogan also discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the fight against terror and the war in Syria. France and Turkish officials also signed defense, banking and commercial deals, including the planned sale of 25 Airbus A330s to Turkish Airlines.

The trip was Erdogan's first to France since his government strongly cracked down on suspected opponents following a failed coup in July 2016. About 50,000 people have been arrested and 110,000 others removed from public sector jobs in Turkey. Many have protested they are innocent.

Protests over deteriorating press freedoms and human rights abuses in Turkey greeted Erdogan upon his arrival.

About 30 activists from Reporters without Borders held images of jailed journalists outside the Turkish Embassy. A dozen demonstrators, mainly ethnic Kurds, later tried to reach the presidential Elysee palace, but police pushed them back.

The French Communist Party and several left-wing parties have criticized Erdogan's visit to France, which came the day before the fifth anniversary of the slayings in Paris of three Kurdish women activists.

'The French judicial system has pointed out Turkish secret services' involvement in this crime,' the Communist Party said.

Macron said he raised the issues of media freedom and fundamental human rights with Erdogan, giving the Turkish leader a list of journalists and non-governmental workers he thinks were wrongly targeted during the post-coup crackdown.

'We will find concrete and real solutions that will allow the few cases to be settled, and to settle what has sometimes been a misunderstanding, a harmful misunderstanding,' Macron said.

Erdogan responded that some 'columnists and opinion leaders are the gardeners of terrorism.' </s> Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he is “seriously tired” of waiting for the European Union to decide if it wants his country as a member.

Mr Erdogan was in Paris for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, part of efforts to improve his government’s strained relationship with Europe.

Mr Macron confirmed that Turkey’s wait for EU membership was far from over, and suggested a partnership in the meantime.

The current process “does not allow for an outcome in the coming years,” Mr Macron said during a joint news conference with Mr Erdogan, adding that stringing Turkey along was hypocritical.

Mr Erdogan made it plain that Turkey would not wait forever.

“One cannot permanently implore and wait to be finally included,” he said, adding that frustration might tempt Ankara to turn its back to Europe.

Ties between Turkey and Europe worsened last year amid mass arrests and firings carried out by Mr Erdogan’s government following a July 2016 coup attempt.

Relations deteriorated further after authorities in several countries prevented Turkish ministers from holding political rallies to court expatriates’ votes in a referendum to expand the president’s powers.

Mr Erdogan unleashed a series of insults at Nato allies, accusing European officials of racism, harbouring terrorists and behaving like Nazis.

The Turkish president was less bombastic, but just as emphatic, today while discussing his country’s decades-long pursuit of Europe’s acceptance.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron arrives for a press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris today

“Unfortunately, we did the first steps in 1963. And it’s now been 54 years that Turkey has been waiting in the antechamber of the EU,” Mr Erdogan said.

Mr Macron said the two leaders held “frank” talks on Turkey’s bid for EU membership and the human rights situation in Turkey – a major sticking point.

“We should… see if we cannot rethink this relationship, not in the framework of the (EU) integration process, but perhaps a cooperation, a partnership,” he said, adding the main goal must be to keep Turkey – a Nato member – “anchored” in Europe and its “future… built looking towards Europe and with Europe”.

Mr Macron and Mr Erdogan also discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the fight against terror and the war in Syria.

France and Turkish officials also signed defence, banking and commercial deals, including the planned sale of 25 Airbus A330s to Turkish Airlines.

The trip was Mr Erdogan’s first to France since his government strongly cracked down on suspected opponents following the failed coup.

About 50,000 people have been arrested and 110,000 others removed from public sector jobs in Turkey. Many have protested they are innocent.

While Mr Erdogan travelled to Paris, Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is scheduled to meet with German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel on Saturday. </s> Ludovic Marin, pool, AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a joint press conference on January 5, 2018, at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

At a press conference with Turkish President in Paris, Emmanuel Macron said Friday that political developments in Turkey were blocking the country's EU accession bid, suggesting a "partnership" instead of full membership.

Advertising Read more

French President Emmanuel Macron suggested Friday that the European Union develop a partnership with Turkey after its leader said he was "seriously tired" of waiting for the bloc to decide if it wants Turkey as a member.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was in Paris for talks with Macron, part of efforts to improve his government's strained relationship with Europe. Macron confirmed that Turkey's wait for EU membership was far from over and suggested a partnership instead in the meantime.

The current process "does not allow for an outcome in the coming years," Macron said during a joint news conference with Erdogan, adding that he thought stringing Turkey along was hypocritical.

Erdogan made it plain that Turkey would not wait forever.

"One cannot permanently implore and wait to be finally included," he said, adding that frustration over the EU stance might tempt Ankara to turn its back to Europe.

'Macron's offer was not good for the people of Turkey'

Ties between Turkey and Europe worsened last year amid mass arrests and firings carried out by Erdogan's government following a July 2016 coup attempt. Relations deteriorated further after authorities in several countries prevented Turkish ministers from holding political rallies to court expatriates' votes in a referendum to expand the president's powers.

Erdogan unleashed a series of insults at NATO allies, accusing European officials of racism, harboring terrorists and behaving like Nazis.

The Turkish president was less bombastic, but just as emphatic, on Friday while discussing his country's decades-long pursuit of Europe's acceptance.

"Unfortunately, we did the first steps in 1963. And it's now been 54 years that Turkey has been waiting in the antechamber of the EU," Erdogan said.

Macron said the two leaders held "frank" talks on Turkey's bid for EU membership and the human rights situation in Turkey a major sticking point.

"We should ... see if we cannot rethink this relationship, not in the framework of the (EU) integration process, but perhaps a cooperation, a partnership," he said, adding the main goal must be to keep Turkey a NATO member "anchored" in Europe and its "future ... built looking toward Europe and with Europe."

Macron and Erdogan also discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the fight against terror and the war in Syria. France and Turkish officials also signed defense, banking and commercial deals, including the planned sale of 25 Airbus A330s to Turkish Airlines.

Macron and Erdogan vow closer cooperation between France and Turkey

The trip was Erdogan's first to France since his government strongly cracked down on suspected opponents following a failed coup in July 2016. About 50,000 people have been arrested and 110,000 others removed from public sector jobs in Turkey. Many have protested they are innocent.

Protests over deteriorating press freedoms and human rights abuses in Turkey greeted Erdogan upon his arrival.

About 30 activists from Reporters without Borders held images of jailed journalists outside the Turkish Embassy. A dozen demonstrators, mainly ethnic Kurds, later tried to reach the presidential Elysee palace, but police pushed them back.

The French Communist Party and several left-wing parties have criticized Erdogan's visit to France, which came the day before the fifth anniversary of the slayings in Paris of three Kurdish women activists.

"The French judicial system has pointed out Turkish secret services' involvement in this crime," the Communist Party said.

Macron said he raised the issues of media freedom and fundamental human rights with Erdogan, giving the Turkish leader a list of journalists and non-governmental workers he thinks were wrongly targeted during the post-coup crackdown.

"We will find concrete and real solutions that will allow the few cases to be settled, and to settle what has sometimes been a misunderstanding, a harmful misunderstanding," Macron said.

Erdogan responded that some "columnists and opinion leaders are the gardeners of terrorism."

While Erdogan traveled to Paris, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is scheduled to meet with German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel on Saturday.

'Erdogan didn’t get the support he was looking for'

(AP) </s> ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned the European Union that if it continues threatening his country he will open the border gates and allow hundreds of thousands of migrants to flood into EU countries.

Erdogan, in a speech Friday, reacted furiously to a non-binding resolution approved the previous day by the European Parliament demanding that the bloc freeze membership negotiations with Turkey over the government’s heavy-handed crackdown following a failed coup in July.

“We are the ones who feed 3-3.5 million refugees in this country. You have betrayed your promises,” Erdogan told the EU. “If you go any further those border gates will be opened.”

The EU struck a deal earlier this year to return migrants to Turkey in return for a package including aid for the refugees and accelerated membership talks. </s> Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday he is "seriously tired" of waiting for the European Union to decide if it wants his country as a member.

Erdogan, who was in Paris for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron as part of efforts to improve his government's strained relationship with Europe, said Turkey won't wait forever.

"Unfortunately, we did the first steps in 1963, and it's now been 54 years that Turkey has been waiting in the antechamber of the EU," Erdogan said during a joint news conference with Macron. "We have been seriously tired, my nation, too."

Adding that frustration might tempt Turkey to turn its back to Europe, Erdogan said, "One cannot permanently implore and wait to be finally included."

Ties between Turkey and Europe deteriorated last year after authorities in several countries prevented Turkish government ministers from holding political rallies to court expatriates' votes in a referendum to expand the president's powers.

Erdogan unleashed a series of insults at NATO allies, accusing European officials of racism, harboring terrorists and behaving like Nazis.

Macron acknowledged that Turkey's EU accession talks remained stalled. He said the relationship between Europe and Turkey needed to be rethought with the goal of creating a partnership that would ensure Turkey's "future will be built looking toward Europe and with Europe."

The two leaders also discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the fight against terror and the war in Syria. France and Turkey also signed defense, banking and commercial deals, including the planned sale of 25 Airbus A330s to Turkish Airlines.

The trip was Erdogan's first to France since his government strongly cracked down on suspected opponents following a failed coup in July 2016. About 50,000 people have been arrested and 110,000 others removed from public sector jobs in Turkey.

Protests over deteriorating press freedom and human rights greeted the Turkish president upon his arrival.

About 30 activists from watchdog group Reporters without Borders held images of jailed journalists outside the Turkish Embassy. A dozen demonstrators, mainly ethnic Kurds, later tried to reach the presidential Elysee palace, but police pushed them back onto a side street.

The French Communist Party and several left-wing parties have criticized Erdogan's visit to France, which came the day before the fifth anniversary of the slayings in Paris of three Kurdish women activists.

"The French judicial system had pointed out Turkish secret services' involvement in this crime," the Communist Party said in a statement.

Macron said he raised the issues of media freedom and fundamental rights with Erdogan. He said he gave Erdogan a list of journalists and non-governmental organization workers he thinks were wrongly targeted during the post-coup crackdown.

"We will find concrete and real solutions that will allow the few cases to be settled, and to settle what has sometimes been a misunderstanding, a harmful misunderstanding," Macron said.

Erdogan responded that some "columnists and opinion leaders are the gardeners of terrorism."

While Erdogan traveled to Paris, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is scheduled to meet with German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel on Saturday.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says he is "tired" of waiting for the European Union to approve Turkey's membership in the political union.