Sarkozy: Turkey does not belong in EU

May 25,2007 00:00 by UPI

BRUSSELS - New French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Thursday he does not believe Turkey should be admitted to the European Union.

Sarkozy visited Brussels a week after taking office. He said a debate on Turkey should be delayed until the union reaches consensus on a new treaty to replace the proposed constitution that was rejected by French voters, the EU Observer reported.

"I believe that Turkey does not have a place in the European Union," Sarkozy told reporters. "We are going to have this debate on Turkey, we cannot avoid it."

Sarkozy appears likely to have a contentious relationship with some other European leaders. While he was elected with pledges to end France's strong worker protection laws, he has promised to continue to protect French agriculture.