French President Francois Hollande has cautiously backed Turkey's aim
to join the European Union despite its recent crackdown on police and
judiciary and earlier French reservations about the idea.
But the trip, the first by a French head of state to Turkey in 22 years, was dramatic enough on its own with Hollande reviving a plan to submit Turkey's EU ambitions to a French referendum.
That pledge will likely draw the ire of Turkey, as it did back when former French president Jacques Chirac first floated it in 2005, before shelving it three years later.
Hollande steered clear of any mention of his private life while in Ankar, presenting himself as a statesman with a decisive policy on the EU ambitions held by mostly Muslim Turkey, with its population of 76 million.
"No need to stoke fears. The French people will any case be consulted," he said during a news conference with Gul.
Noting that Turkey had resumed EU membership negotiations late last year following a three-year hiatus, Hollande added: "Negotiations do not entail membership. The issue of membership will be decided upon at a referendum."
Read more: Hollande cautiously backs Turkey's EU bid - Europe - Al Jazeera English
But the trip, the first by a French head of state to Turkey in 22 years, was dramatic enough on its own with Hollande reviving a plan to submit Turkey's EU ambitions to a French referendum.
That pledge will likely draw the ire of Turkey, as it did back when former French president Jacques Chirac first floated it in 2005, before shelving it three years later.
Hollande steered clear of any mention of his private life while in Ankar, presenting himself as a statesman with a decisive policy on the EU ambitions held by mostly Muslim Turkey, with its population of 76 million.
"No need to stoke fears. The French people will any case be consulted," he said during a news conference with Gul.
Noting that Turkey had resumed EU membership negotiations late last year following a three-year hiatus, Hollande added: "Negotiations do not entail membership. The issue of membership will be decided upon at a referendum."
Under EU rules, accession of a new member requires unanimous approval by the bloc's current 28 members.
European leaders criticised the AK Party leader in Brussels last week, saying democratic principles needed to be upheld.Read more: Hollande cautiously backs Turkey's EU bid - Europe - Al Jazeera English
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