The French President, Jacques Chirac, has said that the French people will have the final say on whether Turkey joins the European Union.
In a television interview, Mr Chirac, who has promised a referendum on the issue, said that discussion of Turkish accession to the EU was premature and France could block the negotiations at any time.
EU leaders will decide whether to invite Turkey to start entry talks at a summit on 17 December.
Mr Chirac supports Turkey's entry to the EU but the leadership of his ruling conservative party and a majority of French voters oppose it.
Polls show that voters are concerned that Turks would flood the EU jobs market and that they are wary of allowing a large and mainly Muslim country to join the union.
