Turkey’s EU bid has not developed right: EU president

LONDON - Anadolu Agency

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. DAILY NEWS Photo

Turkey’s EU accession bid has not progressed properly, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said during an address to the Chatham House think tank on Oct. 20 in London, holding both parties responsible for the lack of progress.

“The move toward Turkey joining has not evolved as it should, partly because of what has happened in Turkey and partly because of what has happened in the EU,” Barroso said.

However, he asserted that “we should keep the door open to Turkey’s joining,” underlining that the EU would benefit from strong relations with Turkey.

Although he said he could not give a guarantee that Turkey would become an EU member, Barroso said he was hopeful, while also admitting that "many things had happened in Turkey over the summer" that caused concern in some EU capitals.