One of the frontrunners of EU President Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy opposed Turkey’s membership to EU, warning it will "it would dilute Europe's Christian heritage, British “The Telegraph” daily reports. Five years ago Van Rompuy spoke on the impossibility of Muslim Turkey’s joining to EU.

“Turkey is not a part of Europe and will never be part of Europe. An expansion of the EU to include Turkey cannot be considered as just another expansion as in the past,” he stated. According to him, “The universal values which are in force in Europe, and which are fundamental values of Christianity, will loose vigour with the entry of a large Islamic country such as Turkey,” the source informs.

As NEWS.am reported previously, November 19, 2009 extraordinary summit opens in Brussels to elect the first EU President. Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy is presently the frontrunner in EU presidential race. The Prime Minister of Luxemburg and President of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Premier of Netherlands Jan Peter Balkenende and others are among the candidates. EU President is elected by EU member states for 5-year term. The position was introduced under the Lisbon Treaty provisions.