Turkish PM warns EU against historic mistake

Addressing parliamentary deputies of his Justice and Development Party (AKP) just two days before EU leaders are set to discuss Turkey’s bid, Erdogan said his country would not accept anything less than full membership of the bloc.
“We have said on several occasions that we will not accept a decision that is not based on a perspective of full membership and which offers special status instead,” Erdogan said. “I believe the EU will not undersign a historic mistake which will weaken its own foundations and will make a decision in line with Turkey’s expectations.”
The Prime Minister said it was clear what the EU leaders should do, offer unconditional full membership to Turkey, a clear negotiating process without the need for a second decision and no new political conditions apart from the Copenhagen criteria.
“We, as a country, have done what we had to do to start the membership talks,” Erdogan said. “The rest is the responsibility of the EU. We expect our European friends to show a sincere attitude, in line with the universal values recorded in the founding principles of the European Union.”