ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan both criticized and welcomed the European Union after it released progress report on Turkey last week.
"Is the European Union's only issue to prepare a progress report only on Turkey? You cannot stand idly by the developments in Syria. The EU doesn't still dare to call military coup against the elected president as coup in Egypt. We sincerely expect the EU, who sharply criticizes its member countries, should criticize itself and write its own progress report," Erdogan told after AK Party's group meeting in Ankara.
On the recently released progress report, he said, "However the report involve false evaluations, it generally confirms government's determination on reforms." Erdogan stated that Turkey would continue its reforms despite all the obstacles and negative attitudes.
The European Union released its 2013 Progress Report on Turkey by hailing reforms carried out by the country and by criticizing Turkey for what it called an "uncompromising stance" on freedom of speech and assembly.
Turkish premier also mentioned the release of Turkish pilots Murat Agca and Murat Akpinar, who had been abducted on their way to hotel in Lebanon and thanked Lebanon and Qatar for their cooperation.
Erdogan also blasted "some focuses", who explore every avenue to prevent Turkey to be a strong country in the region and pointed out internal and external powers.
"When Turkey's influence increases, its economy and democracy grows, those who don't want this development, will explore different ways and target Turkey," he added.
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