Turkish Prime Minister said his country’s bid to join the European Union has been treated “unfairly”.

Turkish Prime Minister said his country’s bid to join the European Union has been treated “unfairly”.

In an interview with German daily Bild, published on Thursday, Racep Tayyip Erdogan said: “Turkey is being treated unfairly”.
"Since I became prime minister (in 2003), the EU has admitted 12 countries, even the Greek part of Cyprus. And since Chancellor (Angela) Merkel and French President (Nicolas) Sarkozy have been in power, we aren't even invited to EU summits".

Erdogan told the top-selling newspaper on a visit to Berlin for celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the program bringing Turkish "guest workers" to Germany that powerful EU members were determined to torpedo Ankara's bid.

Due to the "guest worker" program, which transformed the face of German society, some three million Turks or Germans of Turkish origin now reside in this country of 82 million, representing its largest ethnic minority.

Erdogan argued Wednesday at an anniversary ceremony with Merkel that as a result, Germany had an obligation to strongly back Ankara's membership ambitions.

Merkel largely sidestepped the call and has advocated a "privileged partnership" for Turkey with EU, an alliance which would fall short of membership.