LISBON, Portugal, July 1 (UPI) -- Portugal has assumed the rotating European Union presidency in a tenure likely to involve talks of Turkey becoming a member.
Incoming EU President Jose Socrates, the prime minister of Portugal, said one of his priorities is discussion on Turkey's possible membership.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has vowed to block Turkey from the EU.
Socrates' other priorities include signing the EU reform treaty by December, hosting the first EU-Africa summit in seven years, reaching European consensus on Kosovo's status and coordination of employment policies, BBC News reported Sunday.
Socrates vowed to "defend Europe's prestige and credibility" during his tenure as president. Portugal assumed the presidency from Germany.
