"Calling it a 'privileged partnership' is wrong. Turkey is already in a customs union with us. What we seek is a relationship that would make Turkey associated as much as possible with the EU," Pierre Menat, director of EU affairs for the French foreign ministry, told the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review in an interview conducted last week in Paris.

"It would be much better if we could discuss it. But it's not possible, as the Turkish authorities are too emotional on this issue. If we can see the reality, then we can have better relations," he said.

French President Nicholas Sarkozy is known for his firm opposition to Turkey's admission into the EU, a stance in which he is joined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Sarkozy says Turkey's full membership in the EU would destabilize the bloc's future by enlarging its borders to the fragile Middle East.


"Having said so, France, during its EU term presidency, did not hinder the negotiations," he said.