Turkey will hold a referendum on joining the EU, Turkish Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci said Sept. 19, Turkish channel Haber7 reported.
“At present, Turkey implements reforms for joining the EU,” Zeybekci said. “At the right time, Ankara may hold a referendum on the issue.”
Earlier, newly elected Turkish Minister of EU Affairs Volkan Bozkır said that the country will continue the reforms to join the EU.
“EU membership is a strategic goal of Ankara,” Bozkır said.
The official negotiations on Turkey`s accession to the EU began in 2005.
Former prime minister, incumbent Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said that the EU continues to mislead Turkey regarding its membership, and this situation is upsetting for Turkey.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said earlier that Turkey`s EU membership is not attractive for citizens.
“Earlier, 75 percent of the population supported Turkey`s accession to the EU,” Arinc had said. “At present, only 20 percent of the citizens want this.”
Turkey fulfilled its obligations to the EU on its joining the organization by 65 percent.
Turkey may hold referendum on joining EU
19 September 2014
Read: 917
