ANKARA, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Turkey wants to continue its EU membership bid on a win-win basis, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday.
"Our country, which has been a historical, geographical and cultural part of Europe for centuries, demands to continue the EU membership process, which it sees as a strategic target, based on mutual respect, quality and a win-win concept," Erdogan said in a written statement released by Turkish presidency official website on Europe Day.
The Turkish president said that the cooperation developed with the EU at the peak of the migrant crisis in 2016 was the "most concrete and latest example" of this understanding.
"We would like to carry our cooperation with the EU to the highest level in fields such as immigration, economy, energy, customs union and membership negotiations," the statement added.
Erdogan stated the "greatest risk" against the unity of the EU was the discriminatory discourse by "populist politicians."
"Unfortunately, such social illnesses as discrimination, cultural racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia, have been spreading across the continent," he said. "Such trends and policies rising in Europe also poison Turkey-EU relations."
Meanwhile, Omer Celik,Turkish EU Minister, said the country wished to enhance ties with the EU instead of speaking about "concerns."
"We believe in the common values and benefits of the EU and Turkey," he said in a statement on Tuesday, adding Turkey was ready to support the EU in its current difficulties.
Earlier in May, the Turkish leader threatened to say "goodbye" to the European Union unless the process of Turkey's accession to the bloc's membership is moved forward.
