EU’s policy towards Turkey showed a double standard

He also stressed that the Cyprus issue should be regarded separately from Turkish-EU relations. “It is incorrect to link Turkey’s EU membership bid with the Cyprus issue,” said Erdogan. “These are two distinct issues. Despite the arguments of certain EU circles, Turkey never completely rejected UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s plan for the island. We’ve always worked for a permanent solution.” Meanwhile, businessmen at the meeting expressed support for the government’s recent reform packages. Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) Chairman Tanil Kucuk stated that all the harmonization packages approved by the government made great strides towards democratization. For his part, Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu warned that if the EU delayed the beginning of Turkey’s membership negotiations, Ankara would have to revise its relations with the Union. In addition, Erdogan also attended the opening ceremony of Bayrampasa Park yesterday in Istanbul, during which he had a horse-riding accident. Doctors announced that the accident left the premier uninjured.