Chirac: Turkey not ready for EU membership

French President Jacques Chirac today (29 April) hailed the enlargement of the EU as a "giant step", in which everyone will gain.

In a rare press conference this morning, Mr Chirac said, "With its 450 million inhabitants, the EU must become an economic power of the first rank, in which growth and investment will create a new dynamic for employment. It is a process in which everyone will be a winner".

Turkey entry \\"not desirable\\"

Moving to the question of Turki...