"We must list the subjects that are blocking things from the EU's perspective... and see if we cannot rethink this relationship, not in terms of an integration process but a cooperation, a partnership," he added at a joint press conference. Advertising Read more

French President Emmanuel Macron suggested Friday that the European Union develop a partnership with Turkey after its leader said he was "seriously tired" of waiting for the bloc to decide if it wants Turkey as a member. French President Emmanuel Macron told Turkish autocratic President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday that democratic countries had to respect the rule of law in their fight against terrorism as he voiced concerns about the fate of students, teachers and journalists in Turkey. Maybe this will force us to take a decision.”

“Turkey has been unfortunately made to wait at the door of the EU for the last 54 years. “We should … see if we cannot rethink this relationship, not in the framework of the (EU) integration process, but perhaps a cooperation, a partnership,” he said, adding the main goal must be to keep Turkey a NATO member “anchored” in Europe and its “future … built looking toward Europe and with Europe.”

Macron and Erdogan also discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the fight against terror and the war in Syria. In March 2016, its candidature received a boost when it signed a migration deal with the European Union, but was suddenly derailed by EU objections regarding the Turkish government's clampdown in wake of the failed coup in July 2016.
French President Emmanuel Macron suggests that Turkey could have a "partnership" with the EU instead of full membership.