"Perhaps never in the history of our countries have the United States and France been that close on the big dossiers and on the big topics," Mr Sarkozy said at a joint press conference after the meeting. But when it comes to Turkey's EU membership bid, Washington and Paris remained poles apart. While Mr Obama believes Ankara should join the EU, Mr Sarkozy remains firmly against the idea. "I've said publicly that I think Turkish membership of the EU would be important," Mr Obama said. "What the US wants to do is just to encourage talks and discussions where Turkey can feel confident that it has a friendship with France, with the United States, with all of Europe and to the extent that it defines itself that it has an opportunity to be a part of that," he added. For his part, Mr Sarkozy said he agreed on the general principle of having strong and friendly relations with Turkey, as well as of having the country as "a bridge between East and West." But he reiterated his opposition to letting Ankara enter the EU as a full member.
"Perhaps never in the history of our countries have the United States and France been that close on the big dossiers and on the big topics," Mr Sarkozy said at a joint press conference after the meeting.
But when it comes to Turkey's EU membership bid, Washington and Paris remained poles apart. While Mr Obama believes Ankara should join the EU, Mr Sarkozy remains firmly against the idea.
"I've said publicly that I think Turkish membership of the EU would be important," Mr Obama said.
"What the US wants to do is just to encourage talks and discussions where Turkey can feel confident that it has a friendship with France, with the United States, with all of Europe and to the extent that it defines itself that it has an opportunity to be a part of that," he added.
For his part, Mr Sarkozy said he agreed on the general principle of having strong and friendly relations with Turkey, as well as of having the country as "a bridge between East and West." But he reiterated his opposition to letting Ankara enter the EU as a full member.
I don't agree with Sarkozy on this, but at least his opinion is relevant. keep to the Fen Causeway
Frankly I think there are very good reasons to be opposed to Turkey joining the EU. The best one is that the EU isn't ready to have anyone else join right now. That excuse, however, will only carry water if it's backed up by some concrete steps the EU can take to get to a point where expansion is again possible. These benchmarks would provide a roadmap and a timeframe. At some point, through lengthy delays, a country like Turkey may find itself presented with different opportunities for allegiance.
I certainly think Turkey joining the EU is better than Turkey hitching its post with the rest of the middle east. I think Obama would prefer it as well.
Basically Obama is calling out Sarkozy for being full of it. Who can argue with that?
