Turkey hits at ‘narrow minded’ EU politicians

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, lashed out on the 26 June 2009 at western European politicians for seeking votes in the June 2009 European Parliament elections by ruling out Turkish membership of the European Union.

His remarks, made ahead of a meeting with José Manuel Barroso, the European Commission President, underlined Turkey’s frustration at the persistent attempts in some EU countries to thwart Turkey’s membership bid, even though it has been an official candidate for almost four years.

EurActiv, 29.6.09: EU tells Turkey: No 'cruise control' on accession http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/eu-tells-turkey-cruise-control-accession/article-183564

European Commission: SPEECH/09/318: Olli Rehn EU Commissioner for Enlargement The European Future of Turkey Crans Montana Forum Brussels, 26 June 2009 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/09/318&format=DOC&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

BBC News, 26.6.09: Turkey to 'never give up' EU bid http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8121544.stm

France24, 26.6.09: Erdogan in Brussels in renewed push for EU membership http://www.france24.com/en/20090626-erdogan-push-eu-membership-brussels-turkey-expansion-europe

Deutsche Welle, 26.6.09: Erdogan criticizes Germany, France for blocking Turkey's EU bid http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4431313,00.html

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