EU's Juncker warns Turkey is fast withdrawing from Europe as its EU accession talks break down. (AFP Photo)

ANKARA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Tuesday warned Ankara was fast withdrawing from Europe and blamed Turkey for the breakdown of its EU accession talks, local media reported.

Juncker told an annual conference of EU ambassadors that "Turkey is withdrawing from Europe by giant steps," the report said.

Relations between Ankara and Berlin have hit rock bottom in recent months, stoking calls for Ankara's EU accession talks to be suspended.

Turkey began formal membership talks in 2005 after years of foot-dragging by some EU member states such as France who were wary of admitting such a large Muslim country.

But progress has been slow and the negotiations came to a virtual halt last year after Erdogan began a massive crackdown following an attempted coup in July, sending ties plunging to a new low.