"We can part ways with European Union if necessary:" Turkey President Erdogan

Anadolu Agency is a state-run news agency headquartered in Ankara, Turkey.

Before leaving for the United States to attend the general sessions of the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), which will take place in New York, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave a press conference at the Atatrk Airport State Guesthouse today, Erdogan said, "Dear friends, if you want to know my evaluation very clearly, the European Union is trying to break away from Turkey. The European Union is trying to break away from Turkey."

"During this period when he is making moves to break away from Turkey, we will make our evaluations against these developments and after these evaluations, we can part ways with the European Union if necessary, he said.

Erdogan's remarks came in response to queries about his evaluations of the statements regarding Turkey's EU accession process included in the European Parliament's (EP) 2022 report, according to Anadolu Agency.

On Sweden's membership in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), Erdogan said that during the recently concluded G20 Summit in New DElhi, he had a discussion with US President Joe Biden. When asked about his views on the continuing demonstrations of members of the terrorist organization in Sweden, he said: "On this issue, especially the West always says 'Sweden'," reported Anadolu Agency.

Erdogan, in a response to the issue, said, "Unless our parliament makes the decision, it is not possible for us to say 'yes' or 'no' while walking on the road. First of all, Sweden must fulfill its duty."

On Tuesday, September 19, Erdogan announced that he would also address the UNGA session.

In his remarks, Erdogan further said that he would express his opinions on the key topics on the international agenda at this time.

"We will also emphasize the critical role played by Turkey in the face of current global challenges. 'The world is bigger than 5', which we have been saying on every platform for a while now." We are pleased that our determination is being accepted more," Anadolu Agency quoted him as saying.

Earlier in July, Turkish PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdogansaid Brussels should clear the way forTurkey's accession to theEuropean Unionbefore his country gives approval toSweden's bid for NATO membership, CNN reported.

Erdogan's statement came ahead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) summit in Lithuania, which has Sweden's membership on its agenda.

Addressing a news conference then, Erdogan said, "First, let's clear Turkey's way in theEuropean Union, then let's clear the way forSweden, just as we paved the way for Finland," according to CNN.

Erdogan stressed it was time to act onTurkey's bid to become part of the EU, adding, "Turkeyhas been waiting at the gate of theEuropean Union for over 50 years now" and "almost all NATO member countries are European member countries." (ANI)