Thomas Kossendey, head of the Turkish Caucus in the German parliament, yesterday described any reference to the European Union as a Christian club as dangerous, saying that it was not correct to exclude Muslims living in Western countries.

There are some reservations about Turkey's EU membership. The comments referring to the EU as a Christian club are confusing and are very dangerous terms, Kossendey said during a meeting with the members of Turkish Parliament's Human Rights Commission.

Three-and-a-half million Muslims live in Germany alone, while the figure is 20 million overall in Europe. It would be very dangerous to say to the Muslims among us you don't belong to us, he added, Turkish Daily News reports.