11/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - Ankara is displeased about the fact that the External Relations Council's conclusions of 10 December on Turkey and enlargement (EUROPE 9561) do not explicitly mention that the objective of the talks underway is Turkey's accession to the EU. France (which does not want Turkey in the EU) successfully opposed a request from the United Kingdom and other countries to recall this objective in the text to be taken up in the European Council conclusions on Friday 14 December. In a press release, the Turkish foreign minister said there was “serious discontent on our side” and pointed a finger of blame at France. At the same time, he welcomed the support expressed in favour of Turkey by “a large majority of member states”. (H.B.)