EU/US

Bush calls for Turkish entry, tough stance on Iran

Article published on the 2008-06-10 Latest update 2008-06-10 16:04 TU

Bush meets a couple in Slovene traditional costume
(Photo: Reuters)

In his final visit to Europe, US President George Bush visited Slovenia which holds the European Union presidency and called for Turkey to join the EU. He called for a tough stance in attempts to block Iran's nuclear projects, with the EU set to cooperate with the US's position.

Efforts to gain EU support to squeeze Iran's finances are a central message of Bush's visit.

Diplomats say that the bloc has agreed to freeze Iranian banking assets, despite initial opposition from Italy among others. The squeeze will target Iran's biggest bank, Bank Melli, and will be enforced if Tehran doesn't accept a package which economic aid and technical assistance with a civilian nuclear programme.

Bush also hopes to secure more aid to Afghanistan.

In Slovenia, he called for Turkey to be accepted into EU membership, a move that has been opposed by France and Germany, which are among the countries he will visit.

In July the French National Assembly will decide whether to hold a referendum over membership of countries whose populations equal more than five per cent of the total EU population, a move which Ankara believes aims to keep it out.

Bush will also visit the Vatican and Britain.