PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is France to lobby for Turkey's EU bid yesterday came together with French finance minister Nicolas Sarkozy. Reportedly, Sarkozy told Erdogan that French President Jacques Chirac would say 'yes' to opening of the accession talks with Turkey. According to media reports, however Sarkozy also said that TurkeyÕs membership would bring along a heavy burden to the EU, thus he did not look warmly upon Turkey's accession. As known, Sarkozy, who is expected to seek the presidency, proposed holding a referendum on Turkey's membership. In a related note, Joschka Fischer, German foreign minister reiterated Turkey's importance for the EU's security, and said that privileged partnership for Ankara instead of full membership was out of question. At the summit to be held on Dec 17, the EU leaders will decide whether and when to start accession talks with Turkey.
French President Chirac backs accession talks with Turkey