Turkey Unlikely to Become EU Member While Country Led by President Erdogan

According to a member of the European Parliament, Turkey is unlikely to become a member of the EU with Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the president.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Turkey is unlikely to become a member of the European Union and develop into a western democracy with Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the president, member of the European Parliament Anders Vistisen told Sputnik on Saturday.

“I can never see Turkey as a member of EU and it has been clear for a couple of years that with Erdogan as president, Turkey will not develop in a western way,” Anders Vistisen said.

“The EU should be more critical to the regime and president Erdogan. I do not support military coup in any way, but I understand the frustration behind the wishes of changes in Turkey. And that changes should be supported by the EU,” Vistisen added.

Late on Friday, Turkish authorities said that an attempted coup took place in the country. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Turkish citizens to take to streets, stating that the coup attempt was carried out by a small group within the military.

The coup attempt was suppressed by early Saturday, with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim stating that all coup supporters were identified and would be apprehended as the country was returning to normal life. Over 180 people were killed and 1,470 were injured during the events, while nearly 3,000 people have already been detained, according to the prime minister.