However, speaking at a session on the future of Europe at the 11th Europe Forum in Slovenia he warned that secularism can not be imposed.
Barroso said that a visit to Turkey last month convinced him that there was a need to draw the country closer to the European Union.
The EU also had concerns over the recent developments in Turkey, one of which was the closure case filed against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which Barroso said was not a common case as it was controversial due to its dealing with the fundamental principles of a state’s organization.
The EU should continue negotiations with Turkey in a fair way, and that failure to conduct fair negotiations could be disappointing for people struggling for freedom of thought and Turkey’s membership to the union, he said.
