Turkish minister plays down French official’s remarks on EU entry

NTV television, Istanbul
29 Nov 04

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul hosted his Hungarian counterpart
today. During a joint news conference with the Hungarian foreign
minister, Gul said that he does not see any reason to speak negatively
with regard to the outcome of the EU summit on 17 December. He
remarked that the talks are continuing in a positive manner. Referring
to the remarks by Nicolas Sarkozy of France, Gul stated: The
authoritative person in foreign policy matters is the French
president, it is Chirac.

At the news conference, Gul said that there is no reason for the
negotiations with the EU not to begin. I believe that it is
unnecessary to have negative expectations, he stated. The foreign
minister also stressed that any alternative other than starting the
negotiations with the aim of attaining full membership is out of the
question for Turkey.

Commenting on the statements emanating from France in connection with
Turkey’s membership, Gul recalled that French President Chirac is
authorized to decide on foreign policy matters. Gul stated that it is
important to remain loyal to steps taken in the past.

On the subject of Iraq, Gul commented on the criticism directed
against the United States and Washington’s reaction against this
criticism. Everything should be evaluated within its own dimension,
Gul remarked. He said that it would be blackmail to say: We will do
this, if you use the definition of genocide.

Gul added that there is no such blackmail. It had been charged in the
media that the United States had warned Turkey that the draft bill on
the Armenian genocide allegations would be enacted [if Turkey used the
word genocide in connection with Fallujah].