Erdogan: "Europe has more to gain from Turkey's accession than Turkey itself"

The European Union will never be a global player as long as Turkey isn't a member, Prime Minister Erdogan said yesterday on an interview with France 24 television. Erdogan said considering Turkey's economic growth and its ties with the Muslim world, Europe had more to gain from Turkey's accession than Turkey itself. On Turkish-Israeli relations, Prime Minister said that Ankara won't restore ties until Israel apologizes and pays compensation to the victims of its deadly May raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship.