On Thursday, the European Union's main legislative body voted in favor of a resolution to halt Turkey's EU accession negotiations. EU officials voiced concerns earlier this month over the crackdown that took place in Turkey following July's failed military coup attempt. Officials have been particularly critical of Ankara's plans to restore the death penalty, by the closure of media outlets and the arrests of opposition figures.
Speaking to Sputnik Turkey, Ahmet Sorgun, deputy chairman of the Central Committee of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), explained that the EU's abusive attitudes have only served to drive Ankara further and further toward pursuing an independent foreign policy.
The lawmaker noted that Turkey is no longer interested in one-way integration into Western institutions, including the EU and NATO, adding that the idea of building ties with Eurasian organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is attracting more and more support.
"Geographically, Turkey is part of the Eurasian region," Sorgun explained. "Like Russia, we are partly in Europe, and partly in Asia. On the one hand, our country is a candidate for EU membership, and a member of NATO. On the other, we are actively working with the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation, are working with the SCO, etc. In other words, Turkey has links with various international organizations."
As far as Brussels's policy toward Turkey is concerned, the politician noted that "Ankara expects from the EU a sincere attitude toward ourselves – one that's based on certain principles, and not double standards."
Ultimately, Sorgun stressed no "no bloc or alliance can claim to be the only one of its kind in the world. Today, no one can guarantee their own security and prosperity by themselves. If we are to ensure good governance in the world, it's necessary to work together and to diversify our contacts."
Ankara, meanwhile, will move only in the direction that the Turkish people choose, the politician added. "If necessary, we can organize a referendum – like the one in the UK, where people were asked [about EU membership], Turkey too can hold a plebiscite."
"Because in today's world, no one can be squeezed into a single association. And no one is obliged to move in only one direction; this is especially true for a country like Turkey, one part of which is adjacent to the Middle East and North Africa, another with the Caucasus, another with the Balkans, and another with the great power like Russia…Therefore, the EU cannot remain the only prospect for Turkey," Sorgun concluded.
