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Ankara / AFP
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim warned the EU on Saturday not to forget that Turkey has alternatives to the bloc, whose ties with Ankara have become increasingly strained.He did not say what the alternatives were could be but closer relations between Russia and Ankara has caused concern in the West. “Turkey always has alternatives. Europe should not forget: too much coyness can make love fed up,” he said during a ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) conference. Turkey’s bid to join the union dates back to the 1960s, although formal talks began in 2005. Only 16 chapters of the 35 chapter accession process have been opened. Turkey’s relationship with the EU has come under strain since the July 15 failed putsch and Brussels’ failure to deliver visa-liberalisation in time as part of the March deal to solve the refugee crisis in Europe. Ankara has also attacked Brussels for not showing more support after the coup bid.