Erdogan ponders Brexit-style referendum on EU accession bid in MAJOR blow to Brussels
TURKISH president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is pondering a Brexit-style referendum on whether his country should continue pursuing membership to the European Union.
Erdogan has threatened the EU with changes in the agreement they made last year
Relations between Brussels and Turkey have become increasingly hostile in the last few weeks after Erdogan claimed “no European in any part of the world can walk safely on the streets” unless Ankara is shown more respect.
Erdogan, speaking at a Turkish-British forum, said: “You [Britain] have made a decision with Brexit… We have a referendum on April 16. After this, we may hold a Brexit-like referendum on the [EU] negotiations. No matter what our nation decides, we will obey it.”
There is a limit to Turkey's patience with the attitude that European countries show us
Ankara and European nations – including Germany and the Netherlands – have become involved in a heated exchange of words, after the cancellation of pro-Erdogan campaign rallies on their soil for dual nationals.
The Turkish leader added: “It must be known that there is a limit to [Turkey's] patience with the attitude that European countries show us.”
The controversial leader fired a warning to Brussels that he will review Turkey’s relationship with the European Union.
In March 2016, EU leaders forged a deal with Ankara in the bid to cut the flow of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea into Europe.
President Erdogan: Europeans will NOT walk safely on the streets
Erdogan is hoping to gain sweeping powers in a referendum in April
In return the EU offered Turkey €3billion, a promise to fast-track EU membership talks and visa-free travel for its nationals.
Speaking to CNN Turk, president Erdogan warned he would review all aspects of Ankara’s relationship with Europe after the upcoming referendum.
Some have accused Erdogan of becoming a dictator
Turks living in European countries, especially those who are opposed to the Erdogan, claimed they have had their passports rescinded and were only told when they visited their embassy or consulate.
A spokesman for the city of Hamburg, in Germany, said at least four cases are known of passports being taken away by the Turkish consulate.
The Turkish leader also claimed he would like to conduct “face to face” meetings with President Donald Trump’s administration in May, claiming he wanted talks to focus on Ankara’s dislike of its Nato ally’s support for Kurdish militias in Syria.