strasbourg president european commission say wednesday saw prospect turkey join eu foreseeable future optimistic message six western balkan nations also seek membership european union become increasingly critical turkey decades-long membership drive president tayyip erdogan launch major crackdown critics include journalists academics fail 2016 coup turkey take giant stride away european union time jean-claude juncker head executive commission say annual keynote speech european parliament state bloc accession candidates must give rule law justice fundamental right utmost priority rule eu membership turkey foreseeable future juncker refer war word berlin ankara erdogan accuse berlin nazi-like tactics prompt chancellor angela merkel call end turkey membership talk despite crucial nato ally journalists belong newsrooms prisons belong freedom expression reign juncker say stop insult member state compare leaders fascists nazis formally end turkey accession negotiations would require unanimity among eu state lack though majority back enough suspend eu leaders discuss turkey summit brussels october though formal decision may come next spring juncker put final stamp eu recently-revived engagement balkans serbia albania macedonia montenegro bosnia kosovo want join eu one day want stability neighborhood must maintain credible enlargement perspective western balkans juncker say region eu south-eastern edge still scar war fight along political ethnic religious line 1990s important bloc issue control immigration counter security threats early year eu accuse russia seek destabilize western balkans moscow deny concern lead renew engagement region britain schedule exit eu 2019 juncker say saw new enlargement bloc 2020. thereafter european union great 27 number add eu officials say serbia albania macedonia could close join possibly allow eu 30 state around 2025 though avoid set firm deadlines juncker comment come speech urge eu catch wind sail years battle crises euro zone migration brexit juncker chide eu candidate turkey upbeat western balkans