Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that hostility towards Turkey's European Union membership bid has had a detrimental affect on the countries enthusiasm for the EU. Prime Minister Erdogan's remarks were made in a meeting with ambassadors from several EU countries.

Germany and France have both announced their opposition to Turkey's membership bid. Opposition by a number of extreme right-wing parties, including the Dutch Freedom Party, has also angered Ankara. Several right-wing parties made significant electoral gains in the recent European Union parliamentary elections by campaigning on a platform opposing the 'Islamisation' of Europe.

A serious obstacle to Turkey's membership bid is Ankara's refusal to recognize Cyprus as a member of the European Union. Turkey invaded the Mediterranean island in 1974 and has occupied about a third of the island since then.