"We deplore some of Macron's remarks about our country and the EU membership process," Hami Aksoy stated, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency has reported on Tuesday.
On Monday, Macron said Erdogan had a "pan-Islamic project, which is regularly presented as anti-European and whose measures regularly go against our principles."
"Do we think today that in a clear and honest manner we can continue accession negotiations with Turkey [to join] the European Union?" Macron posited at the annual French ambassadors’ conference at Elysee Palace.
Macron added that under Recep Tayyip Erdogan the country is "not the Turkey of President Kemal,” then modern republic founder who espoused secular values following the Ottoman Empire’s loss in World War I and subsequent demise.
Aksoy expressed “sadness” of the comments, adding that Macron “again” demonstrated “he far from understands Turkey’s realities.”
European Union leaders reacted halfheartedly after Erdogan was elected following a snap election in June, as the country shifted from a parliamentary to presidential system.
A raft of US-imposed sanctions and tariffs on Ankara has sent the already weak lira’s value plummeting. European banks could provide a life vest to Ankara, but Macron’s comments and Germany’s distain for Erdogan’s government make that an unlikely proposition.
Turkey’s ascension to the EU has been discussed for the better part of 20 years. Turkey’s relations with EU members Cyprus and Greece are among a number hurdles for membership. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide, women’s rights, conscientious objectors, religious freedom, and LGBT rights are also barriers to membership.
