French, Austrian FMs dismiss Obama's backing of Turkey's EU bid

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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"It's not new. The Bush administration also tried to convince us... But it is clear that the European Union and its member states will alone decide," Austria's Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger was quoted by AFP as telling Austrian public station, Radio Oe1.  

Obama reiterated Monday his support for Turkey's European Union ambitions during a speech to Turkish lawmakers in Ankara. The U.S. president completed his two-day visit to Turkey on Tuesday.

"The question is to know if Turkey is changing its position," Spindelegger added.

Turkey began EU accession talks in 2005 but progress has been slow. Sticking points include a trade row over Cyprus and opposition from Austria, France and some members of the German government to its accession.

Spindelegger's comments came as France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner dismissed Obama's comments during an interview with RTL radio Tuesday.

"It's not for the Americans to decide who comes into Europe or not," Kouchner retorted.

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy said Sunday he has always been opposed to Turkey's EU entry and that he continued to remain opposed. 

Speaking to university students in Istanbul Tuesday before departing Turkey, Obama played down his split from Sarkozy as a disagreement among "friends" and said he would not refrain from expressing what he thought to be in Europe's interest.