Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared that European Union membership is no longer a priority for his country, arguing that Europe appears unwilling to accept Turkey and will emerge as the loser from the standoff.
Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Erdogan signalled a hardening of Ankara's posture toward Brussels. Turkey has been an EU candidate country since 1999, with accession negotiations formally opened in 2005 before being suspended over concerns about democratic backsliding, the rule of law, and fundamental rights.
The comments come as a major trial against Erdogan rival Ekrem Imamoglu continues at a courthouse in Istanbul's Silivri district. The imprisoned opposition figure faces charges of corruption, money laundering, and forming a criminal organisation.