Turkish, French presidents discuss EU, Cyprus, “so-called” Armenian genocide
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
28 Jun 04
Istanbul, 28 June: Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer met on Monday
[28 June] with French President Jacques Chirac, who is currently in
Istanbul for the NATO summit.
Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and
French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier also attended the
meeting. Following the meeting, President Sezer’s Foreign Policy Chief
Adviser Sermet Atacanli told reporters that Sezer focused on Turkey’s
European Union (EU) membership in his meeting with Chirac.
Atacanli said that Sezer explained once again that Turkey expected
France, which was one of leading countries in the EU, to support
Turkey’s EU membership. Atacanli quoted Sezer as saying that Turkey
fulfilled all political criteria of EU, noting that Turkey expected to
be treated as other countries which fulfilled those criteria. Stating
that Sezer said in the meeting that he expected the report on Turkey
that would be announced by EU Commission in October to be positive,
Atacanli quoted President Sezer as saying that EU should set a date
for Turkey in December to start its membership negotiations with the
union.
Noting that Sezer also focused on Cyprus issue in his meeting with
Chirac, Atacanli quoted Sezer as saying that new developments took
place after referenda held in Cyprus on 24 April and Turkish Cypriot
side showed its determination for solution in referendum. Atacanli
said that Sezer noted in the meeting that Greek Cypriot side did not
put forth good will on that issue.
Atacanli stated that Sezer stressed that embargoes imposed on the
[self-declared] Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should be
lifted immediately.
When asked what were the views of Chirac about Cyprus issue, Atacanli
said: “Both Chirac and French Foreign Minister, who also attended the
meeting, said that they are aware of developments in Cyprus and
welcomed the attitude of Turkish side and they noted this. Mr Chirac
said regarding the EU issue, ‘you know my stance about EU issue. And
you also know that my stance is positive.’ Mr Chirac said that Turkey
has started its EU trip 40 years ago and the EU has a 40 year of
commitment and this commitment concerns a vision related with the
future of Europe.” Atacanli said that Chirac also noted that the
commission report which would be presented in October was important.
When asked whether Armenian problem was brought onto agenda during the
meeting, Atacanli said that President Sezer stressed Turkey’s
sensitivity over the so-called Armenian genocide which is occasionally
brought onto agenda of the French Parliament.
Atacanli said that Sezer earlier invited Chirac to Turkey and he
repeated this invitation during the meeting. Atacanli added that this
invitation was accepted and the date would be cleared later.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress