2008-05-09 19:39:11 -

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) - France's prime minister reiterated his country's opposition to Turkey's full membership in the European Union on Friday.
Paris prefers Turkey having a «privileged partnership» with the bloc, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said.
France's opposition stems from Turkey's having «occupation troops» in EU-member Cyprus, Fillon said after holding talks Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias.
Turkey

seized the island's northern third in 1974 when it invaded after an abortive coup by supporters of union with Greece.
The island has been split since then between a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north and an internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south. Turkey maintains 30,000 troops in the north.
Christofias said his government was not opposed to Turkey joining the EU, but that Ankara must first re-establish severed diplomatic relations with Cyprus.
Turkey says it will only recognize Cyprus after it is reunited.

Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat plan to meet May 23 amid renewed efforts to negotiate reunification. The talks have been deadlocked since 2004.