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FRENCH ENVOY DISCUSSES TIES WITH TURKEY, ARMENIA
Anadolu Agency
May 14 2012
Turkey
BURSA (AA) -The senior French diplomat in Turkey said on Monday that
everybody wanted to see a freer Turkey.
French Ambassador to Turkey Laurent Bili said that Turkey was carrying
out significant initiatives, and underlined importance of Turkey's
constitutional efforts.
"Everybody wants to see a freer Turkey," Bili told AA correspondent
in the northwestern province of Bursa.
Bili said that the current situation in the European Union (EU) zone
was not so bright, and the EU balances had changed a bit after recent
developments in the continent of Europe.
It was not easy to keep the EU working with 27 members, the French
ambassador said.
Bili said Turkey was a bigger country than other countries that joined
the union, and balances could change if Turkey was admitted to the EU.
The ambassador said France was experiencing a significant and
democratic process, and new developments could emerge after May 7th
presidential election.
Bili said the new French President Francois Hollande sent a message
to Turks living in France, and underlined the importance he attached
to Turkish-French relations.
Every one knew that Hollande had more positive views about Turkey's
accession to the EU, Bili said.
Bili expressed thought that Hollande would have a more positive
perspective on Turks.
The ambassador said the French law criminalizing denial of Armenian
allegations of the incidents of 1915 was not targeting at Turks,
and President Hollande would bring up the law again but in line with
the constitution.
Bili said the law was not against Turkey, but was prepared for the
French citizens of Armenian origin.
The ambassador said French companies had confidence in Turkey's bright
future and were eager to make more investments, which was so positive
for bilateral relations.
Bili said he was hopeful that bilateral relations would be boosted,
and members of the French business organization MEDEF would visit
Turkey in June and seek appropriate places for new investments.
Socialist candidate Francois Hollande won the second round of the
French presidential election by gaining 52 per cent of the votes. He
is expected to take over the office from Nicolas Sarkozy on May 15.
57-year-old Hollande began his political career as the adviser to
Francois Mitterrand, who served as the president of France between
1981 and 1995.
Hollande, who supported the law criminalizing denial of Armenian
allegations regarding the incidents of 1915, has given the message
that he does no more welcome Turkey's European Union membership saying
that negotiations have prolonged for so long.
The French Constitutional Council has rejected the law criminalizing
denial of Armenian allegations.
Anadolu Agency
May 14 2012
Turkey
BURSA (AA) -The senior French diplomat in Turkey said on Monday that
everybody wanted to see a freer Turkey.
French Ambassador to Turkey Laurent Bili said that Turkey was carrying
out significant initiatives, and underlined importance of Turkey's
constitutional efforts.
"Everybody wants to see a freer Turkey," Bili told AA correspondent
in the northwestern province of Bursa.
Bili said that the current situation in the European Union (EU) zone
was not so bright, and the EU balances had changed a bit after recent
developments in the continent of Europe.
It was not easy to keep the EU working with 27 members, the French
ambassador said.
Bili said Turkey was a bigger country than other countries that joined
the union, and balances could change if Turkey was admitted to the EU.
The ambassador said France was experiencing a significant and
democratic process, and new developments could emerge after May 7th
presidential election.
Bili said the new French President Francois Hollande sent a message
to Turks living in France, and underlined the importance he attached
to Turkish-French relations.
Every one knew that Hollande had more positive views about Turkey's
accession to the EU, Bili said.
Bili expressed thought that Hollande would have a more positive
perspective on Turks.
The ambassador said the French law criminalizing denial of Armenian
allegations of the incidents of 1915 was not targeting at Turks,
and President Hollande would bring up the law again but in line with
the constitution.
Bili said the law was not against Turkey, but was prepared for the
French citizens of Armenian origin.
The ambassador said French companies had confidence in Turkey's bright
future and were eager to make more investments, which was so positive
for bilateral relations.
Bili said he was hopeful that bilateral relations would be boosted,
and members of the French business organization MEDEF would visit
Turkey in June and seek appropriate places for new investments.
Socialist candidate Francois Hollande won the second round of the
French presidential election by gaining 52 per cent of the votes. He
is expected to take over the office from Nicolas Sarkozy on May 15.
57-year-old Hollande began his political career as the adviser to
Francois Mitterrand, who served as the president of France between
1981 and 1995.
Hollande, who supported the law criminalizing denial of Armenian
allegations regarding the incidents of 1915, has given the message
that he does no more welcome Turkey's European Union membership saying
that negotiations have prolonged for so long.
The French Constitutional Council has rejected the law criminalizing
denial of Armenian allegations.