French Interior Minister and presidential hopeful Nicholas Sarkozy on Friday reiterated his opposition to Turkey's membership in the European Union. Speaking to French magazine Le Meilleur des Mondes, Sarkozy claimed that Turkey's possible membership in the Union would be the end of "political Europe." "I love Turkey, but its membership would be the end of Europe politically," Sarkozy said, reiterating his support for a "privileged partnership" for Turkey rather than full membership. Accusing British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President George W. Bush of not wanting the development of Europe politically, meaning their support for Turkish membership, Sarkozy also described their attitude as "inconsistent," reported The New Anatolian.