Gul: We Attribute Great Importance To Turkey – France Relations

Gul said that there could be circles which could want to overshadow the cooperation between Turkey and France, adding that no opportunity should be given to that.

Gul said that historians were the ones who could assess such genocide claims, adding that such kind of developments which could hinder the bilateral relations should be impeded.

Gul stated that France extended support to Turkey’s full membership to the EU and stressed that the bilateral economic relations were also very important. Gul stressed that ”we hope no opportunity which can cast shadow on these important relations will be given.”

Gul said that he took up regional, international problems and also bilateral relations in his meeting with Villepin, adding that they exchanged views about the future and reconstruction of Iraq, and peace in the region. Gul said they also discussed Turkey-EU relations.

Noting that France was one of the most important countries of EU, Gul said that they also discussed the issue of speeding up Turkey-EU relations.

Gul said that Turkey wanted to see French President Jacques Chirac and French Prime Minister Jean Pierre Raffarin in Turkey as soon as possible.

NONE OF DEVELOPMENTS IN FRANCE ABOUT ARMENIAN CLAIMS AIMS TO HURT TURKISH PEOPLE

Villepin also responded to questions about the monument planned to be opened in Paris on April 24 due to Armenian genocide claims. Noting that the issue was a difficult one, Villepin said that France confronted such debates during the last years. Villepin said that the deep friendship relations between Turkey and France gave the opportunity to make a distinction between what was important and what was not important. Villepin said that ”this issue should be left to historians.” Villepin said that none of the developments in France aimed to hurt the Turkish people, adding that they also took up this issue in his meeting with Gul.

His visit to Turkey had many meanings, he said adding that he paid his visit in a period when the region witnessed very important developments.

Villepin said regarding the attitude of Turkey about the Iraqi war, that Turkey assumed a moderate and calm attitude. ”We welcome this attitude, and we are pleased with the constructive attitude which Turkey undertook with other regional countries,” he said.

Villepin said that U.N. had to play a key role in reconstruction of Iraq and the territorial integrity of Iraq had to be maintained. Noting that the second dimension of his visit was EU, Villepin said the signature ceremony in Athens opened a new page for Europe and that they were aware of the EU membership expectation of Turkey.

Villepin remarked that they were aware of the possible contributions of Turkey to the EU in strategical, economic and cultural aspects, adding that they welcomed the reforms undertaken by Turkey during its membership process and that they wanted to accompany Turkey while the latter continued undertaking reforms.

The guest minister said that a harmony had to be provided between national identity and modernization, stressing the importance of Turkey in respect of intercultural dialogue.

Upon a question about Iraq, Villepin said that France attributed importance to reconstruction of Iraq and France wanted lifting of sanctions on Iraq.

Replying a question about Cyprus, Villepin said that they supported U.N. process about the issue and France wanted solution of the problem as soon as possible. Villepin said that many concrete proposals were on the table, adding that these constituted basis for solution of the problem.

TURKEY EXPLAINS ITS UNEASINESS ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CLAIMS TO VILLEPIN

Turkey conveyed its uneasiness about the developments in France regarding the so-called Armenian genocide to French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin who visited Ankara on Tuesday.

In Villepin-Gul meeting, Foreign Minister Gul explained the sensitivity of the Turkish public opinion about the issue and noted that this issue should not cast shadow over the bilateral relations. French side noted that the French government also shared the view of Turkey that the issue had to be left to historians. Villepin noted that yet the government could not impede such decisions taken by some local administrations such as the one taken by Paris Municipality.

Meanwhile Turkish and French sides decided to improve the dialogue and cooperation regarding Turkey’s EU membership process.

Villepin suggested Turkey to complete the necessary reforms without waiting for the end of 2004 to start full membership negotiations, adding that elections would be held in various EU organs and that Turkey had to complete its reforms before those elections. Gul proposed further improving the dialogue between the two countries about this issue and invited French President and French Prime Minister to Turkey.

(Öª) 23.04.2003