Copenhagen summit seen as ex-president’s target

Article reports that comments by Giscard d'Estaing, Chairman of the European Convention, concerning Turkey's bid to join the European Union led one European diplomat to say Mr d'Estaing is trying to prejudge the outcome of the European Council in Copenhagen in December 2002. Turkey's membership will be high on the agenda at the Summit and Member States are divided over what to offer Turkey. Britain, Denmark and Greece want to offer Turkey a date for the start of accession negotiations. Turkey will have a population of 80 million by 2015, the same as Germany, and if allowed to join the EU would have a share of votes giving it a powerful voice in the EU's institutions.