"Chirac's conditions for EU talks with Turkey aim to placate French
By Daniel Dombey and George Parker
Published: December 6 2004 02:00 | Last updated: December 6 2004 02:00
Paris has laid down three conditions to back the start of EU membership talks with Turkey, in a bid to assuage hostile French public opinion.
President Jacques Chirac will insist at an EU summit on December 16-17 that a form of words will have to be found that makes it clear Turkey must settle for less than full membership if the talks fail.
Mr Chirac will also insist the summit communique provide a reminder that the French people can ultimately reject Turkey's membership bid in a referendum, even if the talks succeed."
More:FT.com / World / Europe - Chirac's conditions for EU talks with Turkey aim to placate French
