Turkey's Problems With EU 'Inevitable,' Accruing - Russian Envoy

The crisis in Ankara-Brussels relations is deepening, Russia's Permanent Representative to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov told Sputnik.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Turkey's problems in relations with the European Union are "inevitable" and they are growing, Russia's Permanent Representative to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov told Sputnik.

"Turkey has problems with the European Union, they are inevitable, and not only with Germany, but also with other EU member states. These difficulties are growing in course of time. There are many factors," Chizhov said.

Turkey’s relations with the European Union have been stuck over the easing of visa restrictions for Turkish citizens. The negotiations over the issue have been in practical deadlock since Ankara refused to change its anti-terror laws as required by Brussels. Meanwhile, relations between Ankara and Berlin have strained after Germany’s parliament recognized the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire during Wolrd War I.

Chizhov added that problems in relations between Ankara and Brussels contributed to recent Turkey's moves in regard to Moscow.

"I think that it is one of the reasons, of course," Chizhov said, answering a corresponding question.

On Monday, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing condolences over the death of a pilot in Ankara's November downing of a Russian aircraft. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Turkish leader made an important step to mend ties with Russia by sending the letter. "Excuse us," Erdogan said in the letter, according to the Kremlin website.