Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov stated on Thursday that Turkey is not likely to become a member of the European Union in the foreseeable future, according to the Russian Sputnik news agency’s Turkish service.
“Turkey has been struggling to enter the EU for more than 50 years, but due to its current situation and deteriorating affairs, it is not possible to talk about the potential membership of this country,” Borisov told Russia’s İzvetiya daily.
An EU official also told the daily that Turkey has been distancing itself from the union and that relations have gradually become more difficult.
“The EU is seriously concerned about the situation of human rights and basic liberties. In order to restart the accession process Turkey needs to change the current state of affairs in the country and adjust its norms to be compatible with the EU’s principles and values,” the EU official said.
Austrian Chancellor Stephan Kurz also told a Greek daily on Tuesday that the European Union should immediately terminate accession negotiations with Turkey.
“I have been very vocal about promoting an honest relationship with Turkey for years,” Kurz said during an interview with the Kathimerini daily.