Posted on 09/21/2007 11:58:09 AM PDT by Republicain
PARIS (AFP) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy reaffirmed on Thursday he did not believe Turkey should be admitted to the European Union, while calling for a "true partnership" with the mainly-Muslim nation.
"I do not believe that Turkey belongs in Europe, and for a simple reason, which is that it is in Asia minor," Sarkozy said in a prime-time interview on TF1 and France 2 television.
"What I wish to offer Turkey is a true partnership with Europe, it is not integration with Europe," said the president, who recently appeared to have softened his opposition to Turkish membership of the European bloc.
Public hostility to Ankara's entry to the EU was seen as one of the reasons for the French rejection of a draft EU constitution in a 2005 referendum.
France has said it would not block discussions on Turkish entry if a group of "wise men" was set up to debate the EU's future over the next two decades -- a proposal which received a lukewarm welcome in Brussels.
Turkey began EU accession negotiations in October 2005 but it has only managed to open four of the 35 chapters, or policy areas, that all candidates must complete to join.
Turkey's talks are expected to last at least a decade, with no guarantee of membership at the end of it all. The process has been hampered by Ankara's refusal to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot ships and planes.
“Public hostility to Ankara’s entry to the EU was seen as...”
What’s hostile about saying no?
What about Chicken? Beef?
Sarkozy is a realist. Perhaps he can become a modern-day Charles Martel.
Pretty much sums it up.
Some French Conservatives (they do exist) have criticized Sarkozy for putting non-French in his cabinet.
But he's saying the right things, and even doing some of the right things.
Maybe not Martel, but working on it.
The land belongs in europe however the ottomans who invaded it belong back home in the middle east proper.
When I hear the word turkey, I think of Thanksgiving and roasting one of those self-basting freezer eagles.
Turkey gets all of the benefits of the EU without the headache of being locked to Brussels. They are all better off. If they became part of the EU then the Army would be disenfranchised and theocratic chaos would rule.
What an amazing turnaround in France - from Chirac to Sarkozy. There’s hope for the world!!
yeah its actually Turkye, Turkey is the americanized version/
I used to be a big fan of Turkey and supporter of its joining the EU - until they stabbed us in the back on Iraq and kept the 4th Infantry Division out of northern Iraq.
Sarkozy is saying, in terms of Europe, what the US must say to Mexico - no North American Union.
And he is right.
The Turks have tried to integrate with Europe before. As recently as 1683, when Turkish armies besieged Vienna. Yes, things are different, now.
(BTW, I have met Turkish married couples here to attend school and without exception they are nice people. Of course, simply knowing who Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was, made me a friend in their eyes.)
I like this guy a lot. Amazing that France elected him. I have newfound respect for them.
“Amazing that France elected him.”
Not to me. France suffers massive voter and media fraud also.
Democrats Find Way to Stop War - Get Soldiers Killed
From Sea to Shining Sea | 10/11/07 | Purple Mountains
Posted on 10/11/2007 11:33:06 AM EDT by PurpleMountains
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/1909754/posts
Turkish PM, president push for abolition of headscarf ban
AFP | 07/19/2007
Posted on 09/19/2007 1:11:58 PM EDT by Republicain
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1899041/posts
EU wipes Turkey from the euro map of Europe
Reuters | 09/25/07 | Reuters Staff
Posted on 09/25/2007 5:43:13 PM EDT by Enchante
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1902047/posts
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