Roj TV, Denmark
Dec 18 2004

French President Chirac interprets the summit and Kurdish Problem

French President Jacques Chirac stating he expected the candidacy of
Turkey to the European Union (EU) would bring the principles of
peace, dialog and especially respect with, interpreted the given date
for negotiations as “If we remain engage for 15 years, this will
result in a happy marriage.”

In a press conference held in Brussels, Jacques Chirac , the
president of France where was on the focus of the most intensive
debates before the Oct. 17 summit of the EU, made crucial statements
on the given date for starting talks, Cyprus and Kurdish problems. He
emphasized that the date to be handed to Turkey does not mean
candidateship and, gave the message Turkey should make great attempts
to access to the European community. If Turkey does not make the
required efforts and the unity decrees Turkey not to have done or not
to want to do so, the EU will stand on a strong formula of
relationship out of candidacy.” President Chirac said and stated the
way of parley was ”long and hard”.

‘Turkey has many steps to take”

To question ”Will you make a call on Turkey, which has been fighting
with Kurdish guerillas for 30 years, to start a dialog with the
Kurdish side”, Mr.Chirac said the problem would be solved within the
framework of Copenhagen Criteria. Taking attention to the existence
of the Criteria which point out respect for human rights, the French
President said: ”This should be implemented into practice for the
Kurds, as should for the others. These criteria to be imbibed by
Turkey will bring forth effects especially for the Kurds, too. One of
the important problems is deliberation. If we believe the conditions
of respect for human rights not to be fulfilled, this should be
imposed upon ”He expressed that Turkey had many steps to take on
that way, and warned the Turkish state that the debate will be
stopped in case of Turkey violated human right.” To enter this
culture is needed. I hope the negotiations and the candidateship of
Turkey bring the principles of peace, dialog and particularly respect
with it. We call this Copenhagen Criteria, which will open the way of
peace and dialog.” he added.

If Cyprius is not recognized, the talks end’

By stating that Turkey was ready for signing the protocol related
with the Ankara Agreement on the Cyprus Issue, Chirac emphasized the
negotiations would end in case Cyprus was not recognized. He
expressed a wish of marriage between the Turkish state and the EU by
saying :” If we stay engaged for 15 years, I believe, this will lead
up to a marriage.”

‘France is very sensitive about Armenians subject’

The president answering a question stated France was very sensitive
especially about the Armenian problem and said that France opened its
gates to Armenians in 1915 and there is an Armenian society
well-integrated with the state. He also recorded that Turkey should
have made a memorial examination on Armenian issue, otherwise Turkey
would incur an intervention of the French people in the referendum to
be held for the candidacy of Turkey to the EU.