Click to play videoBrussels: French President Nicolas Sarkozy will try to break the European Union's deadlock over institutional reform at the EU summit next month.
He continues to oppose Turkey's membership but feels that is not its priority at the time.
Sarkozy met with the European Commission president, Jose Barrosa with a view to discuss a simplified treaty for the EU constitution.
In his first visit to European Union headquarters, Sarkozy said efforts to redraft and simplify the existing constitution draft were making progress.
Among other things, the treaty proposes a streamlined voting system and a long-term president for the EU.
Some EU nations, like France, Britain and the Netherlands are now keen to drop more contentious parts of the draft to play down public fears that a constitution would take away powers from national capitals and create a European superstate.
France wants to have the smaller treaty approved by the EU nations by next year.
The French leader would not raise Turkey's membership issue in the upcoming summit.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
