Turkey-EU relations discussed in Paris

By Yusuf Ozcan

PARIS, France

Turkey's Ambassador to France on Tuesday called on the European Union to continue cooperation with Turkey for the sake of the union.

"Our European friends do not understand us all the time. [The European Union] has no other choice than including Turkey in the EU if it wants to have a say in the international community and come to its senses," said Ismail Hakki Musa during a panel held in Paris on Turkey-EU relations titled "Turkey-European Union: Which Solidarity?"

Musa said Turkey was at the “heart” of some European countries’ elections. He criticized some European politicians over using Turkey as a political tool.

"The EU has made some mistakes; it did not fulfill some of its pledges," he added.

He further asserted that the EU could not resolve its issues by blocking Turkey and urged the union to continue its cooperation with Ankara in areas such as the economy, counterterrorism the refugee crisis.

The panel, organized by the Europe Institute of Research and Communication, was hosted by Senator Josiane Costes.