Kouchner offers no change on French opposition to Turkey’s accession to EU

Kouchner offers no change on French opposition to Turkey’s accession to EU

PanARMENIAN.Net - Despite applauding Turkey's pro-active foreign policy, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has signaled that his country has no intention of modifying its strong opposition to Turkey's accession to the European Union in the near future, Today's Zaman reported

"No," Kouchner briefly replied when asked whether his two-day official visit to Turkey would make France change its position regarding Turkey's EU bid.

"We want the chapters in negotiations to be opened one by one. We put reservations on [the opening of] some chapters. This [process] should be left to follow its natural course. It shouldn't move rapidly," Kouchner was quoted as saying in an interview with Hurriyet daily.

Paris is one of the staunchest opponents of Turkey's accession to the EU, with French President Nicolas Sarkozy arguing that Turkey does not belong in Europe because it is culturally different, proposing instead a privileged partnership that falls short of membership in the 27-member bloc.

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