Socialist concern over French EU-Turkey policy

STRASBOURG - Socialist group leader Martin Schulz has expressed concern over French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s comments on Turkish EU membership.

Speaking to MEPs in Strasbourg Tuesday morning, Sarkozy said that he would only support negotiations “that will not lead to full membership”.

The French leader outlined his belief that Europe has clear borders, and that Turkey is predominantly in Asia Minor.

Schulz however countered that Turkey was an important country, and that the prospect of eventual EU membership had led to impressive internal reforms.

“The very fact that the EU is negotiating on Turkish membership gives an important signal to the whole of the Muslim world,” he said.

“To end those talks abruptly under the French presidency would be a damaging step backwards.”

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