EU 'must say clearly' if it doesn't want Turkey: President Erdoğan

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called on the European Union to explicitly say if it does not want Ankara as a full member, describing German politicians' "anti-Turkey stances" as an implementation of "Nazism and fascism." 

"We want EU bodies and European countries to be sincere and real in their policies on Turkey," Erdoğan said at a ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) meeting on Sept. 6. 

"Take this decision as soon as possible. If you cannot tolerate the current shape of Turkey's relationship with the EU, then declare [an end to it] and do it bravely. That will help everyone see your real face," he added, recalling German Chancellor Angela Merkel's statement that Berlin will ask other EU leaders to either suspend or end Turkish accession process in October.

Erdoğan also accused the EU of implementing "hypocrisy and political immorality" when it comes to ties with Ankara. 

His words come amid a bitter dispute between Ankara and Berlin, and follow German Chancellor Angela Merkel's vow to put and end to Turkish accession process after consultations with other EU countries in October, after the German parliamentary elections. Merkel's rival, the leader of the Germany's Social Democrat Party (SPD), Martin Schulz also promised to end Turkey's accession process if elected as the prime minister in elections. 

"It's the EU that has to take steps now. They will either keep their promises, pave the way to [Turkey's] accession process and fulfill their requirements stemming from our agreement about irregular migration [into Europe] or they will say 'We don't want to continue our path with Turkey.' There is no other option. We will disappoint those who are trying to use Turkey as a tool in election campaigns," Erdoğan said...