Cyprus Press and Information Office, Occupied Northern Cyprus
Feb 5 2005
French Parliament Speaker reminded the Turks about the Turkish
occupation of Cyprus and the Armenian genocide
Ankara Anatolia news agency (03.02.05) reported from Ankara that the
Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and the President of the
French National Assembly Jean Louis Debre held a joint news
conference on Thursday.
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.
”A 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.”
Replying to 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 the 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 country with a population of 71 million habitants
to join the EU. We should listen to each other. Of course, some
questions emerge in the French public opinion. Because, we want to
build a Europe we have questions to ask. Is the 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 the Cyprus problem 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.”