'Turkey won't wait 50 years for EU membership'

Turkey's EU Minister Volkan Bozkır

Turkey's EU minister says that the country has already achieved economic development targets

Turkey's aim is to reach European standards in its membership process, the country's EU minister claimed.

Speaking at a meeting of the Paasikivi Society, a think tank in Finland, Volkan Bozkır said, "Turkey has no intention of waiting for EU membership for over 50 years."

Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987 and accession talks began in 2005.

"Our first aim in the beginning was to achieve economic development, but we have already reached that target. Our current goal is to achieve EU standards," Bozkır said during his address on Wednesday.

Bozkır also thanked Finland for its support for Turkey's membership process.

To gain membership, Turkey must successfully conclude negotiations with the EU in 35 policy chapters, which involve reforms and the adoption of European standards.

So far, 14 chapters have been opened, while 17 remain blocked and another four have yet to be discussed.

#Volkan Bozkir

#Finland

#EU

'Turkey won't wait 50 years for EU membership'

Turkey's EU minister says that the country has already achieved economic development targets

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