Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey’s Foreign Minister told media on Tuesday that Turks had lost faith in the EU.
Speaking in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Cavusoglu said: “I should be open about it. Unfortunately, Turks do not believe in the EU anymore. There is a lack of confidence,”
Cavusoglu blamed lack of European support for Turkey after the July 15 coup attempt.
“The support of the Turkish people for the EU membership declined, especially after the July 15 military coup attempt. And now, we want to balance it.”
The Foreign Minister went on to call “more balanced and attentive approaches” from EU leaders and progress towards better visa regime for Turkish citizens, based on an agreement dating from last November.
Turkey first sought membership of the European Union in 1987, however its accession process has stalled for a range of reasons.