REUTERS

Slovenian President Borut Pahor offers to suggest a "special status" for Turkey and Ukraine, and full EU membership for Western Balkan countries.

However, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has criticized Pahor's statements over offering Turkey a "special status" instead of a full EU membership, according to Anadolu Agency.

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"I do not know what changed his mind. Probably [French President Emmanuel] Macron and some others. But there should be a principle of continuity of the state and also of the EU," he said at the 14th Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia on Monday.

He said Turkey is ready to open a new chapter in negotiations with the EU if the issue is related to standards and commitments.

Turkey applied for membership in the European Economic Community (a precursor to the EU) in 1987. It became eligible for EU membership in 1997 and accession talks began in 2004.

However, negotiations stalled in 2007 due to objections by the Greek Cypriot administration, as well as opposition from Germany and France.