Sarkozy Says 'Non' to Turkey's Euro Hopes

France is threatening to block Turkey's full membership in the European Union this month and hopes to push the nation into a "privileged partnership" short of complete participation, the Financial Times reports. It's the first time new French President Nicolas Sarkozy will flex his political muscle in an EU controversy.

"I do not think Turkey has a place in the European Union," Sarkozy said bluntly last month, but he is hoping to avoid dividing his EU partners ahead of talks on a new European treaty at next week's summit in Brussels. France is particularly keen to block negotiations that would allow Turkey  to adopt the Euro, the European currency. (More France stories.)