"Turkey's EU ambitions are a 'curse' for France, but cooperation with East is fully acceptable," French President Nickola Sarkozy stated. "If we speak of Middle East prospects, Turkey is a prominent partner for France", said Boris Boillon, Sarkozy's advisor for North Africa and Middle East Affairs. "Turkey has a unique role in the region. France is against Turkey's EU membership, but that doesn't mean France and Turkey can't be friends and allies outside of the European project," he added.

French President has said several times that Turkey has no place inside EU. His last statement in that regard was made during a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.