Open-Ended Negotiation and Referendum Unacceptable

Erdogan told German newspapers Berliner Morgenpost and Die Welt, "Until today, a referendum has not been held for the membership of the any member countries. So it is a double-standard to talk about a referendum on Turkey’s membership."

The Turkish prime minister added that holding a referendum on Turkey would amount to the EU not obeying its own laws.

"We have done our homework. We have fulfilled the Copenhagen Criteria. As a matter of fact, from now on it will be a sort of test for the EU. Now, we want to see if the EU has done its homework as well."

Erdogan, in a German NTV television exclusive, criticized German Christian Democrat Union Party leader Angela Merkel’s policies against Turkey’s accession. "Populist policies do not bring any benefit," he said.

Erdogan underlined the fact that the membership criteria set for Turkey do not include expressions such as "privileged partnership" or conditional discussion.