Turkey weighs again accession to EU after UK votes exit

Turkish senior officials said Friday that Turkey is in favor of a strong and united Europe, with intention to join as an "equal and honorable" member, NTV reported.

Turkish Prime Minister Yildirim said he hopes the decision of British people will bring good results, after Britain voted to leave the European Union (EU) in a referendum.

He also warned that the exit is "an expression of dissatisfaction," stressing the EU should assess its future vision accordingly.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek described in his twitter the choice of British people to leave the EU as an "opened Pandora's box."

Another Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said that Britain's decision to leave EU marked "the beginning of the fragmentation" of the union, and "Britain is the first to abandon ship."

The referendum was held on Thursday pulling the country out of the bloc after 43 years of membership. As a result, uncertainties are increasing for Turkey's access to EU.

"If Turkey reach the phase of joining the EU as a full membership, we would ask Turkish people first," Yildirim replied to whether Turkey will hold a referendum of accession.

The President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asserted Wednesday that there could be a referendum in the near future on whether Turkey should continue its efforts to join EU if the bloc does not keep its promises.

The Foreign Minister Cavusoglu reiterated that Turkey's aim was to join the EU as "an equal and honorable member," stressing the EU should accept Turkey's full membership in this point.

The Minister for European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator Omer Çelik said Turkey is a European country and a key actor, despite not being a member of the union.

"European countries remain incapable of solving ongoing problems

source : xinhua