"If we are faced with a situation where the energy chapter remains blocked, we would of course rethink our position [on Nabucco]," Erdogan told a European Policy Centre (EPC) conference.
Nabucco endangered?
The EU considers Nabucco as a top priority. The pipeline would transport gas from the Caspian Sea across Turkey to Central Europe. The project has gained even more importance in the light of the latest gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine, which left several Eastern European countries in the cold for days.
The remark made huge waves in Brussels. But Prime Minister Erdogan, after meeting European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, later underlined that Turkey did not want to use energy as a weapon.
"Turkey can play an important role in resolving the EU's energy problem," Erdogan told reporters after the meeting. Barroso replied that an issue as important as energy security should not be linked to Turkey's accession talks, but nontheless pledged that the Commission will "make all efforts" to unfreeze chapters. "Good cooperation on energy matters," Barroso stated.
Turkish frustration
The initial remarks by Erdogan, who was paying his first visit to Brussels for four years, were illustrative of growing Turkish frustration over stalled talks on the country's EU entry.
Erdogan criticised that it had become "almost a routine" to open "only" two chapters under each EU presidency. Two chapters were opened under the French reign. However, he expressed hope that the policy might change under the current Czech and following Swedish EU Presidencies, which might bring "a leap forward".
"If one is successful, why not open three or four chapters?," he asked.
The prime minister called on EU member states and citizens to rethink their opposition towards Turkish membership, as negative opinion in Europe also has a negative effect on how Turkey views the Union. Erdogan also warned against making the accession talks an issue in the upcoming European elections. "We don't ask for privileges. What we ask for is equal and fair treatment."
Addressing those who said they considered Turkey not to be part of Europe, he said: "I consider this as an insult and can only invite those to have a look at the map." He added that Union membership is not based on geography, because otherwise North Cyprus would not have joined.
EU stronger with Turkey
Erdogan stressed that his government considers EU accession to be a "strategic priority" that "affects all aspects of our lives". Barroso lauded recent reform efforts such as the launch of the first Turkish TV channel to broadcast in Kurdish, but said more has to come.
Barroso shared his guest's assessment that the bloc could play a stronger and more effective role on the world stage with Turkey as a member. "Turkey can in fact be something that is in the interest of all European citizens," Barroso said.
"Turkey is not coming to the EU to become a burden. We are coming to relieve some burdens off the shoulders of the European Union," Erdogan said.
