Sarkozy in Ankara: Turkey Not Fit for EU Membership

French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul arrive for a press conference at the Presidental Palace in Ankara, Turkey, on 25 Febr. EPA/BGNES

Turkey does not fit the European Union, French President Nicolas Sarkozy declared in Ankara Friday thus reiterating his position against Turkish membership in the EU.

After his meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Sarkozy used their joint press conference in order to say that the EU and Turkey must find another alternative for partnership before Turkey's EU accession negotiations reach a hopeless dead end.

Sarkozy has been one the most outspoken opponents of Turkey's EU accession. Turkey, however, has generally rejected the notion of a "privileged partnership" put forth by EU politicians such as Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Sarkozy visited Ankara in his capacity as chair of the G20; his visit was the first of a French President in Turkey since 1992.

While he openly declared his opposition to Turkey's EU accession, the French President did pile much praise on Turkey, as cited by the Canadian Press. He said that the EU and Turkey must find the proper formula to work together, and that the situation with the Turkish EU bid must not be "dramatized."

Turkey's EU membership negotiations began in 2005, but talks have reached a virtual standstill because of a dispute with Cyprus over the use of ports and airports. France is holding up Turkey's membership negotiations in five policy issues, in addition to eight policy issues frozen by the EU over Turkey's refusal to allow ships and planes from the divided island of Cyprus to enter its ports and airspace.

Responding to Sarkozy, however, his Turkish counterpart has made it clear that Turkey was not discouraged and would persist in its efforts to join the EU.

"We expect EU to keep its promises made to us and give us a chance to complete negotiation process successfully," Gul said as cited by the Turkish Press.

Once the negotiation process is over, Gul said, Turkey would show respect to decisions of some EU-member states, such as France and Austria, who already decided to hold referendums on Turkey's membership.

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