US President Barack Obama has arrived in Turkey on a two-day visit, after giving his support to Ankara's efforts to join the European Union.
He said Turkey's accession to the EU would send an important signal to the Muslim world and firmly anchor the country in Europe, but French President Nicolas Sarkozy said it was up to the EU itself to decide who joined the bloc.
Speaking in Prague earlier on Sunday, Mr Obama said Turkey's entry into the EU would help to consolidate its position as a Western nation. "The United States and Europe must approach Muslims as our friends, neighbours and partners in fighting injustice, intolerance and violence, forging a relationship based on mutual respect and mutual interest," he said.
Moving forward towards Turkish membership in the EU would be an important signal of your commitment to this agenda and ensure that we continue to anchor Turkey firmly in Europe." But Mr Sarkozy said he had always been opposed to Turkey's EU entry.
"I have been working hand-in-hand with President Obama but when it comes to the European Union it's up to member states of the European Union to decide," he told French TV. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that while close links with Turkey were important, its future status in Europe was still open for discussion.
The EU agreed to open accession talks with Ankara in 2004, but in recent years, correspondents say, Turkey has made little progress with democratic reforms which would improve its chances of membership.
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