EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik stated at the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday that the EU accession is not the only the option for Turkey in terms of relations with Europe.

He said that the perspective of a full membership of Turkey in the EU became the part of Turkish politics and they will move in the same direction. It is very important for them, but at the same time, it is not the only option for Turkey. According to Celik, at the moment the relations with the EU are at a crossroads because of the regional and global crises.

The minister noted that they do not want the EU to apply double standards to the issue of fight against terrorism. This fight is implementation of legitimate right of Turkey for protection, and the terrorism is a threat to the internal security of their country.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan warned the European Union on Tuesday that Ankara might revise arrangements with the union if it insists on additional conditions for visa abolition. In particular, amendments to the anti-terrorist legislation are the point. Erdogan said that Ankara will continue to negotiate on visa liberalization in the framework of agreements on visa abolition by 30 June. He also added that if the decision on the matter is not made, the law on readmission will not pass through parliament.

The readmission agreement is a key point of the visa liberalization program, and is of great importance for Turkey agreements and for the EU in its fight against illegal migration.