"No one in the modern world can remain squeezed within the one alliance. And no one is obliged to move only in one direction. Especially when we are talking about such a country as Turkey, one part of which is bordering the Middle East and North Africa, another part- the Caucasus, the third part- the Balkans, and the fourth part [borders]such a great world power with the historical past and civilization as Russia. Therefore, the European Union cannot remain the only prospect for Turkey," Sorgun said.
The lawmaker pointed out that since Turkey was geographically located both in Asia and Europe, Ankara sought to cooperate with various regional organizations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and NATO.
"To properly manage the world we need to work together and diversify contacts," Sorgun said.
Sorgun said the world was like a "global village" and the states should cooperate in order to cope with the existing challenges, for instance, terrorism threat.
On Thursday, the European Parliament voted to suspend EU membership talks with Turkey due to "disproportionate, repressive measures" taken by Turkish authorities after July’s failed military coup.
The initiative was supported by 471 parliamentarians, with 37 votes against and 107 abstentions. However, the vote was non-binding and mostly symbolic, which means it would not be supported by the European Commission.
Negotiations on Turkey’s accession to the European Union started in 2005.
