France Says Will Not Block EU Talks On Turkey

France will not block talks on Turkey at European Union meetings next week.

France will not block talks on Turkey at European Union meetings next week, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Friday.

Responding to a question about France's position on EU negotiations on Turkey, Kouchner told a news conference: "You used two verbs: Brake and block. I think neither one nor the other will be useable for next week's meeting."

Kouchner's comments came after France's European affairs chief said on Wednesday that Paris would not allow the European Union to carry on with business as usual in Turkey's accession negotiations.