Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticizes EU accession process in Vienna

During a press conference in Vienna alongside Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized the European Union's stance on Turkey's accession process. Fidan claimed that a single EU member state with a population of under one million people is effectively blocking broader strategic cooperation between Turkey and the EU. Although he did not explicitly name the country, the remarks were widely interpreted as a direct reference to the Republic of Cyprus. Fidan argued that the EU lacks the political will to provide a clear roadmap for Turkish membership, despite Turkey's compliance with necessary criteria. He asserted that this situation creates a deadlock that the European Union must resolve internally. Turkey maintains it does not seek unconditional membership but demands clear confirmation of admission once all requirements are met. The minister emphasized Turkey's geopolitical importance as a justification for accelerating the integration process.