You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Europe
France: EU Enlargement Should Be Halted
2005-06-28
France's interior minister said Monday that European Union enlargement should be suspended after the entry of Romania and Bulgaria — a clear swipe at Turkey's efforts to join the bloc. Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy said France's rejection of the EU constitution in a May referendum showed the need for several changes. "We have to rethink and rework our European politics," he said.

The comments came after Sarkozy met with Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, who was chairing a series of meetings with political party leaders on the lessons to be learned from France's "no" to the EU constitution. French and Dutch voters soundly rejected the constitution in separate referendums, with many expressing misgivings over a wave of immigrants in countries like France struggling with double-digit joblessness. Many also said they rejected the treaty because they were opposed to mostly Muslim Turkey joining the EU — an issue that became a point of contention in the run-up to the vote. Membership talks with Turkey are to begin in October.
Posted by:Fred

#12  tu3031, ROFLOL!

Ricky bin Ricardo nailed it, also--so much for Turkey rolling over for France and doing their bidding during OIF, thereby putting the second knife wound into the back of their bestest ally and friend, the USA.
Was it worth it, Erdogan?
Uh, NON.
Posted by: Jennie Taliaferro   2005-06-28 15:49  

#11  If EU Enlargement lasts for more then four hours do you have to call a doctor?
Posted by: tu3031   2005-06-28 15:45  

#10  Hey, Erdogan: we sure do like those Kurds and they sure do like us. Good luck with the EU thingy.
Posted by: Matt   2005-06-28 13:41  

#9  Funny how fast the French can make a thing ugly, I mean really ugly ... it's their gift to the world I suppose. Can't have the european empire of Napoleon through diplomacy so off they go throwing fits and issuing thinly veiled slurs at their formerly beloved minions to be.
Posted by: HoratioNelson   2005-06-28 11:44  

#8  Heh, this is just sooo entertaining. Erdogan says that they won't accept any new conditions for EU membership, and the Phrogs just come right out and say that adding to the membership should be halted outright.

Your move, Mr. Erdogan.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2005-06-28 11:03  

#7  Hey Turkey, see how France rewards you for stabbing the US in the back? So, how is that whole EU thing working out?
Posted by: DMFD   2005-06-28 07:05  

#6  a clear swipe at Turkey's efforts to join the bloc

...and not only at Turkey, but Ukraine and Poland (indirectly) too.

Hint: it may not be that phone-book-of-a-constitution, or even EU expansion, that is the problem with Europe today. It may be your, um, social model. Look into it. It might be worth it for you.
Posted by: Rafael   2005-06-28 00:54  

#5  Aaarrggh...meant to say "monkey-wrenching the US plan for a 2-front assault into Iraq would grease the skids for your EU app..."

"Now Ricky, write on the blackboard 100 times: Preview is my friend. Preview is my friend. Preview is my friend..."
Posted by: Ricky bin Ricardo (Abu Babaloo)   2005-06-28 00:45  

#4  Dear Turkey:

In American slang, this is called "getting screwed without getting kissed". Believing Phrawnce when they promised you that monkey-wrenching the US plan for a 2-front assault into Iraq was a reeeeeeally bad move. Pity we can't do a TAFTA (Trans-Atlantic Free Trade Area) arrangement with you, either.

It's been real,
The U.S.A.
Posted by: Ricky bin Ricardo (Abu Babaloo)   2005-06-28 00:42  

#3  Tut-tut, those silly French. First they let six million muslims into the country to fill all those job vacancies for doctors, engineers and computer programmers, and then they suddenly change their minds! Talk about fickle!
Posted by: Paristan   2005-06-28 00:25  

#2  Rest of the EU: Who cut the cheese?
Posted by: Dominique Vilepain   2005-06-28 00:18  

#1  According your countrymen, Nicky, it shouldn't even include France.
Posted by: Jackal   2005-06-28 00:08  

00:00