No problem with democratic demands, says Turkish pm

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, “We do not have any problem about democratic demands."

Speaking at the opening ceremony of EU Istanbul Conference organized by Turkey’s EU Affairs Ministry, Erdogan said, “We wish the EU to leave aside the political reasons in the negotiating process of 22nd chapter.”

Erdogan said, “After 50 years of the beginning of EU-Turkey partnership process, Turkey could only become a negotiating country”, and added, “We make self criticism, but we want the EU to do the same, as well.”

“Turkey's EU accession process is not in direct proportion to the steps taken by Turkey in the last 10 years," said Erdogan, and asked, “Why is Turkey facing unjust obstructions? Why is the EU inventing non-existing criteria for Turkey?”

Erdogan expressed that the EU, hampering Turkey’s accession process, is undergoing a “sincerity test”, and added, “The outcome of this test would also determine EU’s own future.”

“The EU should give up forgetting the promises it made to Turkey and the documents that it signed, “ said Erdogan, and added, “Turkey has never been a country to put off.”

Erdogan stated that visa requirement to Turkish citizens, which turned into a human right violation, was harming the EU more than it was doing to Turkey, and said, “I wish shortly Turkey will get rid of the visa procedure.”

Gezi Park events

Referring to Gezi Park events, Erdogan said, "The events which occurred through the excuse of Taksim Gezi Park arrangement should not lead anybody to wrong thoughts and hesitations because there is an incredible amount of disinformation. Social media has been conducting horrible lie campaigns. I have determined each by myself. We know all. We do not have any problem about democratic demands."

Erdogan added, “I remind our foreign friends, particularly foreign press, to not handle the events from an ideological perspective.”

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