French Foreign Minister holding talks in Turkey

The French Foreign Minister, Hubert Vedrine, is holding talks in Ankara, to urge Turkey not to sever ties with the European Union.

The visit is the first by a senior official from an EU country, since the EU decided at a summit last month not to include Turkey in a group of countries considered suitable for membership.

France supports Turkey's bid for eventual membership.

Mr Vedrine is also expected to discuss the clandestine immigration into Europe by Kurds, mainly from Turkey.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service