France says Armenian genocide issue not central to Turkey’s EU membership
talks
AFX Europe (Focus)
Dec 14, 2004
PARIS (AFX) – Turkey does not have to acknowledge accusations of
genocide against Armenians living under Turkish rule in the early 20th
century as a pre-condition for opening talks on EU membership, French
foreign minister Michel Barnier said.
“France does not pose it (acknowledging the Armenian genocide) as a
condition, notably not for opening negotiations (on EU accession)”,
Barnier told the state-owned television station France 2.
This statement comes despite reports yesterday that Turkish
acknowledgement of the genocide was a pre-condition.