Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that joining the EU is no longer a priority for Turkey

The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stated that his country's accession to the European Union is no longer a priority, although the perspective of integration is not abandoned. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he emphasized that the European Union would be the loser if it continues to reject Turkey.

Turkey has been a candidate for accession since 1999, and negotiations were opened in 2005, but have been stalled due to backsliding in democracy and the rule of law. Recent criticisms of the Turkish government have intensified, especially following actions against the opposition, including the trial of former Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, accused of corruption and money laundering. The opposition believes that this trial is politically motivated, accusing Erdogan of eliminating his rival through the judicial system, which the government denies.