Paris Wants a Late 2005 Start for Negotiations

Barnier, who spoke to reporters in Brussels yesterday, said that even if the European Union (EU) decided on a negotiation date for Turkey, Turkey’s accession could still take 15 years.

"Opening negotiations does not mean accession. This will be a very stony road," said Barnier.

The French Minister added that EU leaders have considered the possibility of unsuccessful negotiations with Ankara and have created alternate scenarios.

Barnier was cautious in his comments and did mention a "privileged partnership".

In a speech yesterday, French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin also exhorted the EU to prepare an alternate agreement with Turkey should full-membership negotiations conclude negatively.