BRUSSELS, Nov 5: French President Jacques Chirac cautioned on Friday that Turkey might never reach the standards required for European Union membership and the bloc might have to find an alternative way to tie it to Europe.

Mr Chirac reaffirmed that he fully supported opening accession negotiations with Ankara, as recommended by the executive European Commission, and hoped it would eventually join the 25-nation bloc.

But in what appeared to be a nod to widespread hostility to Turkish membership in France, which has dented his popularity, he told a news conference at an EU summit that the outcome of the process was uncertain.

"Naturally one can't underestimate the possibility that in a few years' time we come to realise that ... the road that Turkey has to travel doesn't permit it to adopt all the values of Europe," he said.

"In that case, what has to be found is a means to create a sufficiently strong link so that there is no separation between Europe and Turkey, without there being integration."

Mr Chirac's own conservative UMP party has opposed Turkish EU membership as has the centre-right UDF party and some of the opposition Socialists. The president said the issues should be examined calmly a few years after Turkey has begun negotiations and not made subject to "politicians' squabbling".

Germany's opposition Christian Democrats say the EU should negotiate a "privileged partnership" instead of full membership. Diplomats said Chirac's comments did not call into question an expected EU decision on Dec. 17 to begin open-ended accession talks with Turkey next year. -Reuters