ANKARA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday called on the European Union to refrain from actions and rhetoric that could undermine Türkiye's "constructive stance," saying "strategic myopia" toward the country "persists unfortunately and quite visibly" across many of the bloc's institutions.
Erdogan made the remarks during his address to the nation following a weekly cabinet meeting, saying the issue is not where Türkiye stands but where the EU sees itself in the future.
He added that Europe needs Türkiye more than Türkiye needs Europe, a need he said will increase "even further."
On Türkiye's EU membership process, which has been ongoing since 1959, Erdogan said the bloc took a biased stance toward Türkiye's bid.
Despite "the many double standards Türkiye has faced," he said the country has persisted in its efforts toward full membership and maintains close contacts with EU institutions and member states.
Erdogan noted that deep-rooted prejudices against Türkiye among certain circles in Europe have never been overcome since Türkiye's initial application in 1959, with Europe at times targeting Turkish democracy, economy, population, or faith as excuses to slow down the membership process.
"Each time, they always found a pretext to exclude Türkiye, slow down Türkiye's full membership process, and keep Türkiye waiting at the door," he said.
"Let it not be forgotten that Türkiye is no longer the old Türkiye, nor is the world still confined to the sphere of influence of Western states," Erdogan said.
He said Türkiye has changed, transformed, and strengthened its economy and democracy, but that these circles' distorted approach toward the country has not changed.
Türkiye hopes that European decision-makers will abandon their political and historical prejudices and focus on developing sincere, genuine, and equal relations, said Erdogan.
"The winner of such a relationship will be the European continent, of which Türkiye is an inseparable part. Guided by the highest interests of our nation, we will continue walking this path patiently, with dignity, with a clear conscience and our heads held high," he said. ■