Erdogan: EU failed us, Turkey doesn't need it anymore

The Turkish president says his country has outgrown its need for EU membership which has been characterized by rocky accession talks over the course of 12 years. Recep Erdogan also accused Europe of harboring terrorists.

"To tell the truth, we don't need EU membership anymore," he told parliament in a speech Sunday.

Ergogan, however, did not completely rule out Ankara's EU accession ambitions, saying, "we will not be the side which gives up," and insisted that Turkey is ready to become a part of the bloc, but only on full terms.

"If the EU is going to leap forward, there is only one way to do so. And it is to grant Turkey membership and start an action of cultural and economic growth," said Erdogan, whose government played an instrumental role in starting the full membership talks in 2005 when he was prime minister.

Negotiations...