By Nazlı Yuzbasioglu, Zuhal Demirci and Ercan Canbolat
ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s foreign minister on Thursday urged European countries to change their view of Turkey, saying that unless the EU sees Ankara as an equal partner, “a healthy relationship won’t be possible”.
Speaking at a press conference in the capital Ankara with his visiting French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey “doesn’t want to have problems with Europe”.
“However,” Cavusoglu said, “Turkey is also not a country that bows down to impositions and double standards.
"As long as you do not see us as an equal partner, a healthy relationship cannot be expected, despite differences in standards.”
Cavusoglu stressed that Turkey’s view of Europe changed over time and that European countries must similarly “change their mindset about Turkey”.
On a referendum set for Sept. 25 on the secession of northern Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), Cavusoglu said Turkey would use its power “if needed”.
“We observe this in our bilateral relations … Americans and other countries say ‘It [KRG] is your neighbor, you have power.' Turkey does not hesitate to use its power if needed."
Pointing to the importance of the issue for the region, Cavusoglu said Turkey and France might take some steps together.
"In fact, the approach of France and Turkey overlaps in this regard. Such a referendum decision is a wrong decision and is not good for Turks, for Iraq, or for the region."