Clash Promised If France Blocks Turkey's E.U. Entry

BRUSSELS, Belgium — A clash of civilizations between the West and Islam would be the "consequence" if France's President Sarkozy succeeds in blocking Turkey's European Union membership, the European enlargement commissioner said. Olli Rehn, who is leading the negotiation with Ankara, said Turkey's "accession" to the European club was the defining geopolitical issue of the 21st century. "The greatest challenge of our time is the relationship between Europe and Islam, or more widely between the West and Islam," he said.

"Turkey is an anchor of stability in the most unstable region of the world, in the wider Middle East."

The new French president's pledge to end membership talks later this year, after a deal on a new E.U. treaty is negotiated, has already had a damaging and destabilizing impact, Mr. Rehn said.