Erdogan talks about "his friend Vladimir"; slams EU

Erdogan talks about "his friend Vladimir"; slams EU

He told Russian agency TASS in an interview that he expects his meeting with the Russian leader to "open up a new page in relations between the two countries."

"It will be a historical visit, a new start. I believe talks with my friend Vladimir will open up a new page in bilateral relations. Our countries have a lot to do together," he said.

"It is impossible to find solution to the Syrian problem without Russia’s participation. We can settle the crisis in Syria only in cooperation with Russia," Erdogan also said.

As for the EU, he said his country, which became an associate member of what was then the European Economic Community in 1963, and a candidate for membership in the EU in 1999, has been "played with":

“The EU plays with us for 53 years. We consistently have been proving our honesty and expect the same from the EU. It should abandon the policy of double standards,” the Turkish president said.