Ankara is displeased with the statement of the EU Commissioner Gunter Ettinger about the prospects of Turkey in Europe in regard to issues of digital economy and society. The Turkish EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik called the statements of the German political figure a "cultural racism".

Yesterday the Bild newspaper published an interview with Ettinger, during which the European Commissioner expressed great doubts about Turkey's early membership to the EU and cancellation of visa regime between Turkey and Schengen countries. In particular, the Germany commissioner said that the integration of Turkey with Europe will be topical only after the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's dismissal, reports the DW.

The  relationships between the EU and Turkey deteriorated, after Ankara had responded to the military coup attempt in the country with widespread suppressions.  Thousands of people were arrested due to suspicion of supporting the attempted coup; tens of thousands lost their jobs.