In an interview to Kathimerini Greek newspaper European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso stated that Turkey is not ready to join the European Union, but the membership negotiations should continue. "Let's be honest. Turkey is not ready to become an EU member and the European Union is not ready to accept Turkey as a member. Neither tomorrow nor the day after tomorrow", Barroso told. But at the same time he urged EU member states not to shut the door on Turkey altogether. "Personally, I believe it is a matter of the EU's credibility. I would like to ask France and all member states not to change the decision we took jointly and continue negotiations," he underlined.

Membership talks with Turkey begun in 2005 and include 35 policy areas. Ankara also must open his ports and airports for Cyprus, an EU member-state. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, who took office earlier this year, has said he opposes Turkish EU membership.