Turkey has never been less likely to join the European Union than now and the bloc should seek a special relationship with Britain, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said as relations between Ankara and Berlin hit a low point. "Today Turkey is definitely further away from becoming a member of the European Union than ever before," Gabriel said in an interview with news magazine Der Spiegel published on Saturday. He said he always had doubts about whether Turkey should join the EU but found himself in the minority in his Social Democrat (SPD) party. Before taking power in Germany in 2005, Chancellor Angela Merkel was an outspoken opponent of Turkey's membership and called for a "privileged partnership". We'd be well advised to bring about a 'special relationship' with Great Britain after its exit from the EU," Gabriel said.

Source: Egypt Independent March 18, 2017 16:30 UTC