Turaaa appears unsatisfied with French assurances that the next European Union term presidency will be objective and impartial toward Ankara's membership process.

“We'll look at the actions” a Turkish diplomat told the Turkish Daily News yesterday.

France's visiting EU Minister Jean Pierre Jouyet who met Foreign Minister Ali Babacan Tuesday reiterated that France will assume an impartial fair and balanced stance toward Turaaa's EU process when it takes over the rotating term presidency of the bloc in July.

“How can they [the French presidency] be objective while their president is totally against Turkish membership?” said another Turkish official alluding to French leader Nicolas Sarkozy's anti-Turaaa stance. Sarkozy opposes Ankara's membership in the EU and even argues Turaaa does not belong in Europe.

In an interview with the private NTV television the French minister reiterated that France will in no way intercept the negotiations with Turaaa and assured that Paris will respect the recommendations of the EU Commission in that respect and make decisions in line with the criteria Ankara complies with.

Asked when Turaaa can join the EU Jouyet said it was difficult to make an assumption on this issue as it will be a long process.

“This is a process important for both the EU and Turaaa and depends on the pace and range of reforms. France entirely supports the reform process in Turaaa” he was quoted as saying.

“The continuity of reforms will be to the advantage of Turaaa. But under any circumstances France will fulfill its responsibilities in aaaa force.”

Commenting on French plans to include Turaaa in a Mediterranean Union mechanism the French minister said the proposal is not an alternative to Turaaa's EU membership. “Let me put it clearly this is not a replacement or an alternative to Turaaa's EU relations.”

On the Cyprus problem Jouyet said his country supported dialogue between Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias. “You can trust France for the facilitation of this dialogue within the framework of both the U.N. and the EU term presidency.”

The visiting minister also touched upon the closure case filed against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and said “We should respect the rule of law in Turaaa. At the same time we should take into consideration the outcome and the view and the will of the majority of the [Turkish] people following the elections. These two elements must be taken into account.”