Turkey's European Union negotiation process is prevented due to political reasons, said Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Mevlut Cavusoglu on Tuesday.
Speaking during Croatia’s national independence and armed forces day event in Turkey’s capital Ankara, held by Croatia's Ambassador in Ankara Drazen Hrastic, Cavusoglu underlined that Turkey started its EU membership negotiations on the same day as Croatia on October 3, 2005.
"Unfortunately, Turkey's negotiation process was decelerated and prevented due to political reasons," he added, allegedly referring to the Greek Cypriot administration's blockage on the 23rd chapter, which covers judiciary and fundamental rights.
Croatia became the 28th member state of the EU on July 1, 2013 and the accession of it to NATO took place in 2009.
Turkey continues to pursue EU membership and aims to open chapter 23rd on "judiciary and fundamental rights" and chapter 24th on "justice, freedom and security."
Negotiations began in 2005 and Turkey must comply with 35 negotiation chapters which set out reforms it must achieve to become a member. So far, only 14 chapters have been opened while 17 remain blocked.
Turkish minister emphasized that Turkey is the first country that recognized Croatia’s independence and has always given full support to Croatia’s EU and NATO memberships.
Cavusoglu stated that Turkey considers Croatia an important country for western Balkans' stability, and added, "Relations between Croatia and Turkey are at high levels in all areas, and both countries are trying to improve current economic relations."
"We know that Croatia gives unquestioning support to Turkey on its EU membership and we thank you for that," Cavusoglu said.
Ambassador Hrastic stressed that this year Croatia marks the fifth anniversary of its entry into NATO and the first year of its EU accession.
"Croatia strongly supports Turkish accession to the EU," said Hrastic adding that "Croatia has joined the EU but it has not left southeastern Europe," He said that on the contrary, Croatia will serve as a bridge between Europe and the other regional countries.
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