EU REAX | Turkish minister says Brexit sign of EU failures

LONDON (AP) — Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says the European Union is in need of serious introspection after Britain's decision to withdraw from the bloc.

Speaking to reporters today, he said all EU "policies have been unsuccessful," pointing to integration, expansion, security and economic-related policies as examples.

The EU, the minister added, has failed to address the rise of several negative trends such as extremism, Islamophobia, racism and xenophobia.

He said that Britain's withdrawal hinders the EU's capacity to be a powerful global actor and that Ankara would have preferred it stayed in the bloc.

Cavusoglu said this development underscores Turkey's importance for EU stability and security.