Obama supports Turkey's bid for EU membership

PRAGUE, April 5 -- U.S. President Barack Obama threw his weight on

Sunday behind Turkey's bid for European Union (EU) membership, urging EU leaders

to send a good signal to the Muslim world.

Speaking to his European counterparts at a luncheon meeting in Prague,

Obama said efforts should be made for closer ties between the West and the

Muslim world, adding it would be a good sign of such efforts if Turkey could

join the EU.

Turkey has long been seeking to join the EU, but its membership bid has

been held up by opposition from France, Austria and other EU countries, which

demand Ankara do more on some domestic and external issues, including human

rights and reforms.

Obama will visit Turkey, which has a predominantly Muslim population, on

Monday and Tuesday.