Ms Danielle Auroi:

We are going to answer all the questions with two voices. Perhaps I will start with an issue that was mentioned several times, that is, EU enlargement. In this period when citizens have many doubts vis-à-vis the European Union, it is even more difficult to ask this question. I want to mention especially the example of the Lithuanian Presidency which, like other states, such as Poland and Germany, will wish to open discussions with other states that Europe may not have mentioned. I will come back to Turkey later. However I want to mention the Ukraine because the Lithuanian Presidency will want to have a strong partnership with the Ukraine. It is very difficult for us as there is a lack of democracy and a lack of respect for human rights in that country, which means we are going to be very careful.

I am going to speak about something that is, perhaps, simpler and it has been mentioned already. Serbia has now won the right to start opening some chapters. Over a month ago, I was in the Serbian capital with a German colleague from the Bundestag who was saying that Croatia had joined the European Union and that was sufficient, but we believe the Balkans are going to join the European Union. It is very important for the stability of the whole region of the Balkans and for peace in that area. Let us not forget that the two world wars started in the Balkans.

Turkey asked a long time ago to join the EU. The country has several qualities. First, it is a large country and, therefore, we are changing scale completely. If Turkey joins the EU it will mean 100 million people will join the EU. That is difficult for us. Second, Turkey plays an important role in the equilibrium and peace of that region. It is a direct link between Europe and the Mediterranean area. It is an area of stability and we should bear this in mind in view of what is happening in Syria and the Lebanon, which is currently having some difficulties as well. Let us not forget that Turkey is an interface with Iran as well.

I offer one last point on Turkey. Turkey has a working model which integrates Islam without going all the way to extremism. Reference was made to the burka, but I know Turkey well and there are few burkas in Turkey. I see more burkas in Parisian suburbs. The fundamental question is that Turkey is an economic and social model that works and manages the risk of extremism within the Mediterranean area.

The committee members were nice enough to congratulate France on our intervention in the working of Mali to guarantee stability in Africa and the fight against Islamic extremists. It is important to bear in mind that Turkey is keen to reinforce the partnership, perhaps more than the EU accession. Turkey is keen to have a strong regular working method with the EU.