Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (29.08.11) reported that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan chided the European Union “for holding a bias” against Turkey in its evaluations, but stated that the country would still push on with the reforms for the welfare of the people despite discouragements.

“If it [Turkey’s bid to join the bloc] does not work out, we will continue on our path under the guidance of the Ankara political criteria instead of Copenhagen’s [criteria] and with the Istanbul economic criteria instead of Maastricht’s [criteria],” Erdogan said in harsh words that showed the country’s determination to keep up the pace of reforms, even though the Government was dissatisfied with the pace of the membership procedure.

Calling the stalled process “an eclipse of reason” on the part of the 27-nation bloc, Erdogan accused the EU member states of “not displaying the same level of sincerity Turkey does.” “We have displayed a firm stance on the road for Turkey to rise up to a democracy at EU standards, and we will continue to do that in the same decisive manner,” the Turkish Prime Minister said, but warned that the country was also capable of self-sustaining a transformation in its structure, through its own methods.

Repeating that the country is ready to make further moves towards a better democracy, Erdogan voiced hope that “common sense would prevail over narrow-mindedness” and that the EU would keep its promise to Turkey in line with “the spirit of the times.”