Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkey's European Union (EU) bid was a requirement of Turkey's own interests.

Erdogan said in a meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) that the start of Turkey's entry talks with the EU was a historic success and a turning point for the country.

"This historic success is the success of our nation, country and state, which is appreciated all around the world," he said.

"We have only one goal in Turkey's civilization journey -- to make Turkey get its place among democratic, free and advanced countries," Erdogan added.

"We have neither regarded EU as a dream that can never come true nor as an easy target. EU membership is the means of realizing Turkey's claim of being a democratic, liberal, just and prosperous society," he stressed.

On Monday, the EU and Turkey began their first ministerial meeting on the opening of Turkey's accession talks, which are expected to last a decade.

Source: Xinhua