Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim warned the EU yesterday not to forget that Turkey has alternatives to the bloc, whose ties with Ankara have become increasingly strained.
He did not say what the alternatives were could be but closer relations between Russia and Ankara has caused concern in the West.
“Turkey always has alternatives. Europe should not forget: too much coyness can make love fed up,” he said during a ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) conference.
Turkey’s bid to join the union dates back to the 1960s, although formal talks began in 2005.
Only 16 chapters of the 35 chapter accession process have been opened.
Turkey’s relationship with the EU has come under strain since the July 15 failed putsch and Brussels’ failure to deliver visa-liberalisation in time as part of the March deal to solve the refugee crisis in Europe.
Ankara has also attacked Brussels for not showing more support after the coup bid as EU officials criticised Turkey’s crackdown against plotters and supporters.
Tens of thousands of those working in the judiciary, military, police and education sector have been suspended, sacked or detained over suspected links to the putschists which has alarmed Turkey’s Western allies by its wide scope.
In March, the two sides signed a deal to stop the flow of migrants into Europe, which meant Turkey would receive billions of euros for refugees in the country.
Brussels also promised visa-free liberalisation which Turkey demanded by October but as the month approaches its end, the likelihood of Turks being able to travel within the EU’s Schengen Area without a visa appears to be low.
The EU wants Turkey to amend its draconian anti-terror laws, a key condition for giving Turks access to the zone but Ankara has insisted the current situation does not make it possible.
Over the past 18 months, Turkish cities have suffered multiple terror attacks from militants linked to the Islamic State (IS) group as well as Kurdish militants.
Yildirim appeared to be frustrated with the bloc, saying that Turkey had been working for half a century to become an EU member.
“It has done more than it should. Now the decision is the EU’s,” he said in televised comments, adding the country made reforms as part of the membership process under AKP rule.