Rehn: VS moeten zich niet bemoeien met onderhandelingen Turkije (en)

The United States should not interfere with Turkish EU membership talks as the negotiations are a matter between Brussels and Ankara only, Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has warned.

US involvement could spark anti-Turkish reactions in EU member states, the commissioner said in an interview with Finnish television YLE.

The Finnish Commissioner's comments come shortly ahead of a visit by US President George W. Bush to Europe in February.

"I would assume that the Americans are wise enough to understand that this is indeed a European, not an American issue", said Mr Rehn.

Last year, the US urged the EU several times to speed up membership talks with Ankara.