Sarkozy calls Turkey's EU talks a "tool" not a path to membership

French President Nicholas Sarkozy yesterday reiterated his country's opposition to Turkey 's full membership in the European Union ahead of a brief stopover in Ankara as chairman of the G-20, arguing that Ankara 's ongoing accession negotiations are merely a "tool" to deepen relations. "It is a necessity to deepen Turkey 's already unmatched relationship with the European Union in order to make it closer," he said. "We must work in ways that are more concrete and pragmatic. The ongoing negotiations are a tool to continue this necessary deepening." He added, " Turkey is a big country. It's a bridge between the East and West, a country that has an irreplaceable role since it connects two different worlds. This role, which today's world needs more than ever, cannot be played by any other country. That means Turkey is still an unparalleled country." Sarkozy said the main reason for his visit today is to "have in-depth discussions on the French term presidency of the G-20 with top-level Turkish officials and hopefully gain their support and opinions." Sarkozy also urged Turkey , which he described as an "indispensable partner" of the G-20, to be fully involved in the group in order to help international economic coordination achieve greater growth and employment. Ankara 's talking points for Sarkozy's short visit to Ankara reportedly focus on France 's blocking of Turkey 's EU bid. After arriving in Ankara in the early afternoon for his six-hour stay, Sarkozy is set to hold separate talks with President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He is also expected to make joint press statements with both officials, and to pay his respects to Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk with a visit to his mausoleum, Anitkabir. "Within the framework of the French G-20 Presidency, G-20 issues will be covered comprehensively during the discussions, as will bilateral relations between Turkey and France , important developments within the EU, Turkey 's EU accession process [and] the Cyprus question," the Foreign Ministry said, adding that "in light of recent developments, current regional and international issues will [also] be taken up."