Sarkozy reminds Swedes of French opposition to Turkey in EU

Jul 3, 2009, 14:57 GMT

Stockholm - France remains opposed to Turkey becoming a full member of the European Union, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday during a visit to Stockholm.

Sarkozy was the first head of state to be hosted by Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt since Sweden on Wednesday assumed the rotating presidency of the EU.

Turkey began EU accession talks in 2005, but France and Germany, in particular, are strongly against the idea of letting it into the 27-member bloc, proposing a 'privileged partnership' instead.

Talks have begun on 11 out of 35 'chapters,' or negotiating subjects, with Turkey. Earlier this week, the EU opened talks on bringing Turkey's tax laws into line with those of the bloc.

Sarkozy said that France was 'not against opening up new chapters' with Ankara, and that Turkey remains 'a bridge between east and west.'

Sweden has made itself known as a supporter of enlargement, and will have to accommodate different views within the EU.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has said openly that Sweden would push for Turkey's full membership of the EU.

Sarkozy and Reinfeldt said they also discussed the re-election of Jose Manuel Barroso as head of the executive European Commission.

Barroso - recently endorsed by heads of European governments - is seeking a second term but needs approval from the freshly-elected European Parliament.

It appeared unlikely Barroso would be elected by September, Reinfeldt and Sarkozy said.

Reinfeldt was next week to meet with leaders of different factions from the European Parliament.

The two leaders also discussed Iran and the response to the detention of British embassy staff in Tehran.

Other topics raised during their talks concerned the need to coordinate the EU to achieve a new treaty on reducing greenhouse gas emissions at a UN conference in Copenhagen in December, and tackling the fallout from the financial crisis.

Sarkozy said he would offer full support for the Swedish EU presidency.

The French president also met with King Carl XVI Gustaf and told reporters he planned to visit Sweden again next year.