(VIENNA) - Turkey is determined to pursue the reforms needed to fulfil its hopes of joining the European Union despite opposition from major bloc members, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Wednesday.

"The Turkish people want these reforms," Babacan told a joint news conference alongside Austrian counterpart Michael Spindelegger during a visit here.

"The road toward reforms is important in itself, regardless of the goal" of joining the EU, he said.

The 27-nation bloc and Turkey launched accession talks in 2005, but they have moved slowly with Ankara's Islamist-rooted government hesitating to implement reforms and opposition in France, Germany and Austria.

For his part, Spindelegger reiterated that the Austrian government would hold a referendum on Turkey's possible accession.

US President Barack Obama voiced strong support for Turkey's EU bid during his first official trip to Europe earlier this month, prompting French President Nicolas Sarkozy to shoot back that it was up to the EU to decide.

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