PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron suggested Friday that the European Union develop a partnership with Turkey after its leader said he was "seriously tired" of waiting for the bloc to decide if it wants Turkey as a member.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was in Paris for talks with Macron, part of efforts to improve his government's strained relationship with Europe. Macron confirmed that Turkey's wait for EU membership was far from over and suggested a partnership instead in the meantime.
The current process "does not allow for an outcome in the coming years," Macron said during a joint news conference with Erdogan, adding that he thought stringing Turkey along was hypocritical.
Erdogan made it plain that Turkey would not wait forever.
"One cannot permanently implore and wait to be finally included," he said, adding that frustration over the EU stance might tempt Ankara to turn its back to Europe.
Ties between Turkey and Europe worsened last year amid mass arrests and firings carried out by Erdogan's government following a July 2016 coup attempt. Relations deteriorated further after authorities in several countries prevented Turkish ministers from holding political rallies to court expatriates' votes in a referendum to expand the president's powers. READ MORE
