Turkish, French Speakers hold joint news conference in Ankara

Anatolia news agency
3 Feb 05

ANKARA

Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said: “I believe a positive
result will emerge in referendum which will be held in France
regarding Turkey’s EU membership.”

Arinc and President of the French National Assembly Jean Louis Debre
held a joint news conference on Thursday [3 February]. When asked, “do
you think that a negative result will emerge in the referendum which
will be held in France about Turkey’s EU membership and how do you
interpret such a result?” Arinc said: “Turkey is not after a privilege
about EU membership. However, we oppose to any discrimination to be
made against Turkey. EU should apply the same procedure it applied on
other candidates.” “Referendum for Turkey will be held in the future,
not today. Throughout this period, I believe there will be positive
developments in Turkey and France. I think a positive result will
emerge from the referendum,” Arinc added. Replying the same question,
Debre said: “It is a tradition to hold a referendum (in France) when a
situation is in question regarding borders and structure of the
EU. When time has come, French people will make its decision.”

Meanwhile, Arinc said that they have taken up Turkey-EU relations
during meetings between Turkish and French delegations. He noted: “We
informed French delegation about the details of the reforms Turkey
implemented.” On the other hand, Debre said: “It is impossible to stay
indifferent to the request of a coun try with a population of 71
million habitants to join the EU. We should listen each other. Of
course, some questions emerge in French public opinion. Because, we
want to build a Europe we have questions to ask. Is Turkish society
ready to adopt the reforms which will change the structure of their
society? There are also other questions like Cyprus, human rights and
Armenian issue, to be solved.” Regarding Cyprus and Armenian issues,
Debre said: “We have discussed these issues with Turkish Premier Recep
Tayyip Erdogan. I told him that Cyprus and Armenian issues are
considered as problems in France. Everything works more comfortably as
long as people are in peace with their own histories.”