Turkey's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday it was looking into a proposal for a union of Mediterranean countries but would never accept it as an alternative to its European Union membership bid.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who opposes Turkey's EU membership, has floated the idea of a "Mediterranean Union" but said recently the proposal was not meant as a consolation prize for Turkey if the Muslim nation should lose its bid to join the EU.

"We are still trying to evaluate the issue. We do not have tangible information on what Club Med will be like," Foreign Ministry spokesman Levent Bilman told reporters.

"But it should also be noted that we are aiming for full membership in the EU and we will not be accepting anything less," he said.

Turkish media have dubbed the proposal "Club Med" after the vacation resorts.

Sarkozy and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, who met in Paris earlier this week, insisted the idea of a union of Mediterranean countries modeled on, but not part of, the EU was not an attempt to appease Turkey.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her conservative party previously advocated that Turkey be granted a "privileged partnership" that falls short of membership, a proposal Turkey rejects. However, Merkel's center-left coalition partners, the Social Democrats, support Ankara's bid, and the German government has since said it supports Turkey's ongoing membership talks, which are expected to last years.

International support to Tukey's EU bid

It is pleasing to see that French President Nicholas Sarkozy has decided not to veto the opening of three more chapters in the negotiation process with Turkey, said Olli Rehn, member of the European Commission responsible for enlargement.

In an interview with the 'Le Figaro' daily, Rehn indicated that "the continuation of negotiations with Turkey is important as far as European Union's (EU) credibility is concerned."

Rehn described Sarkozy's decision as "a responsible act".

Vatican: Turkey is in Europe

Meanwhile Secretary of State of the Vatican Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said yesterday that Turkey's EU membership can be possible despite different approaches in Europe.

Recalling that Turkey defines itself as a secular state, Cardinal Bertone noted that Turkey has made great progress, and it continues to do so.

In an exclusive interview with the Italian La Stampa daily, Cardinal Bertone stated that it is possible to establish dialogue between the nations and governments that abide by the fundamental rules of a common life.

Cardinal Bertone noted in the interview entitled "Is Turkey in Europe? Vatican says 'Yes'" that it's possible for Roman Catholic Church to be in contact with secular circles in Europe. "While we are discussing secularism, Turkey's EU membership is being discussed," he said. "Of course there are different approaches towards Turkey's membership in Europe. Yet it's possible to form a common platform."