Turkey feels 'betrayed' over EU accession but still wants to join the club

Turkey feels betrayed by some European Union leaders who have called for the end of accession talks but still hopes eventually to join the bloc, Turkish EU Minister Ömer Çelik has said.

The European Union has become increasingly critical of Turkey's membership drive.  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused Berlin of "Nazi-like" tactics in March when it prevented Turkish ministers speaking at expatriate rallies in Germany. Chancellor Angela Merkel said in an election debate 10 days ago it was clear Turkey should not join the EU and entry talks should end, despite it being a crucial NATO ally.

Çelik chided European Union leaders over statements on Turkish accession and said some, such as Merkel, were using the criticism to deflect attention away from the EU's internal problems such as Brexit, migration and reform.

"They put all those aside and they stoke antagonism towards Turkey in order to cover up their vital internal problems," Celik told Reuters in an interview on Sept. 14.

"We are indeed disappointed by Merkel and some others in the EU: at one of the hardest times in our history we were left alone by our friends and allies," he said through a translator.

When asked if Turkey felt betrayed, he said: "Yes."

Çelik said that EU leaders such as Merkel had failed to keep their promises to Turkey on its EU bid which began in 1987 with an application to join what was then the European Economic Community. Turkey's accession negotiations began in 2005.

"The EU has failed to keep all of its promises whereas Turkey has delivered on all of the promises it made," Çelik said.

Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, said on Sept. 13 he saw no prospect of Turkey joining the EU in ...