Barroso-Sudden 'no' to Turkey may seem Islamophobic

PARIS, Oct 5 (Reuters) European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso warned European Union countries today that a sudden refusal to let Turkey join the 25-nation bloc could make the European Union seem hostile to Islam.

Barroso's comments, published in the French weekly Le Point, follow a warning yesterday by EU enlargement chief Olli Rehn that advocating a ''privileged partnership'' with Turkey instead of full membership weakened the EU's credibility.

Some European countries have expressed concern at the idea of the bloc taking on more members after it decided to admit Bulgaria and Romania from next year. Others have suggested a watered down membership for the poor, mainly Muslim state.

''A sudden 'no', without justification, to Turkey because we may have changed our minds, would be considered by the world as a sign of arrogance or even Islamophobia,'' Barroso said.

''If you ask me: can Turkey become a member of the EU today, the answer is no. But in 15, 20 or 25 years, who can say what the situation will be in Turkey and in Europe?'' he added.

Conservative French presidential hopeful and Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy trumpeted his opposition to Turkish entry last month and said if the largely Muslim country did not meet its obligations on Cyprus, the EU should suspend talks.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has long espoused a 'privileged partnership' and shares Sarkozy's scepticism about membership but has toned down her opposition to avoid a crisis with Ankara that would dominate Germany's EU presidency in 2007.

Germany has a large Turkish population. Ankara argues that within the EU it could act as a bridge between Europe and the Islamic world.

Opinion polls show voters in West European countries, especially Germany, France, Austria and the Netherlands, are strongly opposed to Turkey joining the 25-nation bloc.

REUTERS PB PM1813