Gul: EU needs Turkey

Turkey is essential for the European Union and the EU makes a big mistake by refusing to accept Turkey’s membership, the ex-president of Turkey Abdullah Gul told the TV channel Kanal7.

"Turkey is a powerful Muslim country and its membership in EU can only benefit this structure," Trend cited Gul as saying.

Earlier, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said that if previously 75% of Turkey’s population supported the country’s accession to the EU, currently, this figure has dropped to 20%.