In Turkey's tussle with the EU, Erdogan thinks he holds the cards

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan chairs a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Turkey, June 20, 2016. Kayhan Ozer/Presidential Palace/Handout via REUTERS

ISTANBUL/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Britain's Brexit campaign and the rise of Europe's populist right have further dented Turkish hopes of ever joining the EU, leaving President Tayyip Erdogan largely indifferent to its criticism and weakening an anchor of Turkish reform.

While neither side has any interest in ending Turkey's decade-long accession process, their relations are increasingly transactional, driven by mutual need in areas such as migration, trade and security, rather than by convergence towards European Union norms on democracy and basic rights.