(MENAFN) The president of Turkey "Erdogan" stated that the country doesn't need to join the European Union anymore, but not willing to give up on the delayed EU accession debates.

Also at the Turkish Parliament he said: "We will not be the side which gives up. To tell the truth, we don't need EU membership anymore,"

And "If the EU is going to leap forward, there is only one way to do so. And it is to grant Turkey membership and start an action of cultural and economic growth,"

The country won't permit any threats whatsoever against Kirkuk's historical Turkmen city, said the president.