Christian Europe Remains in the Middle Age

He said of the reference, "The idea of Christian Europe was left in the Middle Ages."

Erdogan warned yesterday that prescriptions based on religion would mean playing with the borderlines of the states.

The Prime Minister also underlined the fact that the path of Turkey is not indexed in the E.U.

Erdogan, during a 3-day trip to the United Kingdom, spoke at Oxford University and argued for Turkish accession into the European Union.

He started his speech on the topic of Turkish-Greek relations. He drew attention to the latest, positive developments between the two countries.

He underscored however, that while privileges were given to Greece during their consideration for EU membership, Turkey is kept at a distant.

"Turkey has approached Europe like it has never been closer. We are aware that we have a long path. We give importance to its quality however, and not its length."

Erdogan stressed Turkey’s geopolitical significance and warned Europe that the E.U. is not the only one in need of Turkey. He said that the Turkish government acts depending on political realities, not political narcissi.

"Turkey cannot accept prejudices," the Prime Minister said. "Those who leave Turkey out because of religious and cultural descriptions are not aware of the hard integration of Muslims living in E.U. countries. We showed that a country mostly populated by Muslims could turn its face to the West and integrate with it. We became real, innovative and modern with the face of Islam. In our modern world, religion belongs to the individual. Equally, the idea of a Christian Europe belongs to the Middle Ages, and it should be left behind in the Middle Ages. If you take religion as your base, then you play with the borderlines of states. Unfortunately, when Turkey is the subject of the matter, the simplest realities are forgotten."