Erdogan: "The EU should make up its mind on Turkey's admission"

The European Union must clearly set forth its stance regarding Turkey's full membership bid, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday. Speaking at the 14th International Business Forum organized by the Independent Industrialist and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) in Istanbul, Erdogan touted Turkey's steps in recent years to strengthen Turkey's democracy. "The EU should explain if they are going to admit Turkey to the EU or not," he continued. "If they aren't, we expect them to announce this and not keep us waiting. But relationships Turkey has established with countries in the region have put Turkey in an important position." On Turkey's good economic performance, Erdogan added that structural reforms made Turkey one of the countries least affected by the global financial crisis.