Before departing for the Turkey-EU Summit to be held in Bulgaria's Varna on Monday, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Turkish officials will remind their European counterparts once again that Turkey does not have any tolerance for double standards in its EU relations.
Addressing reporters in Istanbul's Atatürk Airport, Erdoğan said that EU membership is still a strategic goal for Turkey and the government aims to continue the accession talks before heading to Bulgaria for talks with European Union President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
He noted that Turkey will convey its position to EU officials during the summit that obstacles in front of membership to the bloc should be lifted.
"We will absolutely not allow some circles -- whose intentions and goals we know inside and out -- to block Turkey from being a respectable, equal and deserving full EU member."
The summit comes as doubts mount over the viability of Turkey's bid to join the EU, which has lasted over half a century but is now meeting with opposition from some European governments.
Erdoğan expressed hope the meeting in the Bulgarian resort of Varna would reenergize the Turkish accession bid and remove obstacles in its path.
Erdoğan once again underlined that the 28-nation-bloc have failed to keep its promises of funding and visa liberalization in the refugee deal, and this issue will also be discussed in the summit.
"Unfortunately, the EU has not shown, and is not showing, the same sincerity and loyalty we have shown when it comes to fulfilling its obligations," Erdoğan said.
He added that Turkey expects unconditional support from the EU in its struggle against terror.
