"The door of the European Union is open," Swedish Foreign Minister Karl Bildt told Reuters in an interview.

"There have always been significant voices saying no more, let's deepen instead of widen, but at the end of the day when European democracies knock on the door of the union of European democracies, the door has been open."
 
EU countries agreed unanimously in 2005 to start talks with Turkey on full membership, but the bloc is deeply divided on the issue. France and Germany have revived calls to offer the Muslim country a "privileged partnership" rather than full membership.
 
The success of parties opposed to Turkey's membership in this month's European Parliament election also dealt a fresh blow to the Muslim country's EU bid.
 
Bildt, a supporter of Turkey's membership quest, said he held out the prospect of further negotiation areas, or chapters, being opened during Sweden's six-month presidency.