Gul: "The world doesn't stop at the European union"

As it continues to face obstacles to joining the European Union, EU accession isn't crucial to Turkey, President Abdullah Gul said in remarks published yesterday. In an interview with French daily Le Figaro, he said that French President Nicolas Sarkozy's image of Turkey is at odds with reality. "It's clear that obstacles have been placed in front of us, but the world doesn't stop at the EU," he added. The bloc is divided over whether to give full membership, with France taking the strongest stand against Turkish entry. Turkey has rejected a proposal put forward by France as well as Germany, where Turkey would be part of a so-called "privileged partnership" that would also include Russia. "The strategic choice we have made in favor [of the EU] doesn't stop us from developing relations that we've established across the world," Gul added.