"EU has to change as much as Turkey does"

ANKARA

Leader of German Social Democratic Party (SPD) Sigmar Gabriel said on Friday, "The truth is the EU can't enlarge and this is a very complicated situation. This not about where Turkey is heading, it is about where the EU is heading," in regards to Turkey's EU accession process. 

Gabriel spoke on his visit in Turkey at the German Embassy in Ankara.
Stating that Turkey had to become a member of the EU due to political and geostrategical reasons, Gabriel said Turkey's accession to the EU was discussed for more than 50 years and more emphasis needed to be put on it. 
"The truth is that the EU can't enlarge and this is a very complicated situation. This is not about where Turkey is heading, it is about where the EU is heading," Gabriel said.
The EU isn't homogenous and democratic and although EU citizens support the EU, they have doubts about the EU institutions, according to Gabriel.
Gabriel stated that the question of what type of structure the EU should have in 10-15 years time must be discussed with Turkey. He added the EU had to change as much as Turkey needed to. 

-Cyprus, an obstacle?-

Gabriel touched on the Cyprus issue and defined the Greek Cypriots refusal to accept the Annan Plan as "the beginning point of difficulties."
"If the EU and Turkey really want to negotiate in a fair manner, I don't believe Cyprus would be the major obstacle faced," he added.

-Dual citizenship pledge-

Gabriel also expressed his views in regards to the issue of dual citizenship and reminded that the government in 1999 attempted to allow dual citizenship but failed to do so.
"This is a bad implementation. When I form the government following the elections this year, one of the first bills I propose will be on dual citizenship. However, what is important is to gain the majority in the federal parliament. Therefore, we are waiting for the elections."