French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday he favors a Swedish proposal to open "new chapters" in the European Union's relationship with Turkey _ as long as it doesn't lead to full-fledged membership.
Unlike Sarkozy, Sweden is positive about Turkey's bid to join the 27-member bloc. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt told The Associated Press last week he was hoping to advance membership talks as Sweden holds the EU presidency for the rest of the year.
"France will not be against the opening of new chapters under Swedish chairmanship, but of course this chapter should allow that Turkey should be an associated member of Europe and not a full-fledged member," Sarkozy told reporters in Stockholm.
The French president also noted that Reinfeldt, as head of the EU presidency, represents the entire union on the Turkey issue _ not just Sweden.
"Of course we would like to move ahead in a positive way, Europe works in this way, and I would not like to create any problems for the prime minister and he doesn't want to create any problems for me. This is how we work," Sarkozy said.
In an interview last week, Reinfeldt told AP that membership negotiations with Turkey are of "utmost strategic importance for Europe" but added it was one of the most divisive issues in the bloc.
Turkey is eager to step up entry talks with the EU in areas such as energy, environment, competition, social policy, education and culture.
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