Turkey does not belong to the European Union, it belongs to Asia, French presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy said on Monday.

Speaking at a campaign event at a town in Strasbourg, Sarkozy said that France and Germany provide half of the national income in the European Union and that both countries should lead the bloc.

He noted that Turkey is a great civilization and country which has an extensive history, but should not be in the EU.

Sarkozy also said that France should have a type of Islam that is unique to the country, while he noted that Islam should not be mixed up with terrorists.

He suggested that France should strengthen relations with Nigeria, China and India, as he said these countries will be the most populated in the next 30 years.

Sarkozy drew criticism when he said he would impose a nationwide ban on burkinis if elected in 2017, proposing to bring in a number of restrictive measures for Muslims living in France, under the name of secularism.

He also said that, in the name of France's secularism, he opposes pork-free options proposed by school cafeterias for Muslim and Jewish children.