On his first visit to the country as prime minister, Cameron said he was angry at the slow pace of negotiations, adding that he would "fight" for Turkey's membership in the 27-nation bloc.

Turkey as an EU member would be "vital for our economy, vital for our security and vital for our diplomacy," he said in a speech addressing Turkey's parliamentarians. "I'm here to make the case for Turkey's membership of the EU. And to fight for it."

Turkey and the EU launched the accession process in 2005 but Turkey's ongoing conflict with Cyprus has delayed progress.

The popular Mediterranean tourist destination has been divided into a Republic of Cyprus -- the Greek Cypriot south -- and a Turkish-occupied north since a 1974 Turkish invasion. Ankara doesn't recognize the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member. Its ships and planes are banned from Turkish ports and airports. Until these differences are resolved, it seems impossible for Turkey to join the EU.

Turkey's bid has also been delayed by voices inside the EU itself. Some European politicians feel the body can't take in additional members right now -- especially when it would be a country as large as Turkey, with more than 80 million inhabitants.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who took office in 2005 and 2007, respectively, are opposed to full EU membership for Turkey. Merkel has instead proposed what she called a "privileged partnership."

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who is to visit Turkey this week, told Monday's Bild newspaper that neither Turkey nor the EU are ready for Turkish membership.

"But is in our interest that Turkey moves toward Europe," he said.

Cameron dismissed the adversity to Turkey inside the EU as nationalist and protectionist, arguing that the EU without Turkey would be "not stronger but weaker ... not more secure but less ... not richer but poorer."

"When I think about what Turkey has done to defend Europe as a NATO ally, and what Turkey is doing today in Afghanistan, alongside our European allies, it makes me angry that your progress toward EU membership can be frustrated in the way it has been."

Turkey, a NATO member with 1,700 troops in Afghanistan, is considered a strong U.S. ally in the region linking Europe and the Middle East. Washington strongly supports Turkish EU membership and so does Cameron.

"I believe it is just wrong to say that Turkey can guard the camp but not be allowed to sit in the tent," he said. "So I will remain your strongest possible advocate for EU membership and greater influence at the top table of European diplomacy."

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