But despite his harsh criticism, Yilmaz stopped short of withdrawing Turkey's EU application, and said existing relations would remain in place. At a meeting in Luxembourg Saturday, the EU agreed to discuss full membership next year with six nations, including Cyprus and former enemies in Eastern Europe.
Initial talks are to begin with five other countries.
The Luxembourg summit marked the start of what could be the biggest expansion of the EU since it was formed in the late 1950s. The newly created European Conference will take place in London, and among those attending will be the 15 EU members and the 11 countries chosen for potential membership. The conference is meant to be a forum for political talks aimed at boosting cooperation on international and security policies, economic matters and regional issues. But, he said Turkey would not bow to all its conditions for membership. The EU wants Turkey to improve its human rights record, protect the rights of its Kurdish minority and solve territorial disputes with Greece, including the future of the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus.