Javier Solana, the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Defense, told the German Welt am Sonntag newspaper that he believed the EU should hold Turkey close to Europe.

"This country [Turkey] lies between the Middle East, Caucasus, and the Balkans. Turkey has a large amount of influence, and that could help bring about stability in the region. This would in turn increase stability for Europeans. Turkey needs to be near to us. Otherwise, it might search out other partners," Solana said last weekend.