Turkey needs to pass a long way, at least five years to enter the European Union, French MP, socialist Jean-Louis Bianco said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

French politician stressed there are still many obstacles for Turkey, namely consolidation of democracy, Cyprus dispute, Turkey has not recognized the Armenian Genocide.

He recalled that EU has granted candidate status to Turkey adding that the dialogue with Ankara must be held in peaceful environment. “Turkey plays a strategic role in Syria and in the context of the Arab spring,” he said.