FRANCE ADDS TO EU PRESSURE ON TURKEY

EUPolitix.com, Belgium
Oct 2 2006

French president Jacques Chirac has pressed Turkey to recognise the
role played by Ankara in the Armenian genocide during WW1.

Chirac’s comments came during a visit to Armenia over the weekend
and could indicate a hardening of France’s stance towards Turkey’s
EU membership.

"Should Turkey recognise the genocide of Armenia to join the EU?"
Chirac asked.

"Honestly, I believe so. Each country grows by acknowledging its
dramas and errors of the past."

"Germany has recognised its role in the Holocaust, and has not suffered
as a result. In fact, its status has grown. Turkey would do well…to
take note," he added.

Armenians say up to 1.5 million people were systematically killed by
the Turkish authorities between 1915-1923.

Turkey has acknowledged that large numbers died, but insists that
the overall figure has been overstated.

The French parliament has officially recognised the killings as
genocide.

But Chirac has rejected calls by socialists that denial of the genocide
should become a crime in France.

Germany is also expected to add to EU pressure on Turkey this week –
as Chancellor Angela Merkel heads to Istanbul.

But while Merkel may share French scepticism over Turkey’s EU entry
ambitions, she will also be keen to avert a crisis ahead of her EU
presidency in the first half of 2007.

EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn will also be in Turkey this
week – with a carrot and stick message for the country.

Rehn will visit Ankara on Tuesday to pressure officials to deliver
on freedom of expression and religion, and on Cyprus.

Over the weekend the Cypriot government warned there could be no
further accession talks with Turkey if it does not formally recognise
Cyprus.

The Turkish parliament is currently debating a wide ranging reform
package – but EU officials fear it falls short of Brussels’ demands
on free speech and religious minorities.

The European commission is set to report on Turkish progress on
November 8.

Turkish officials will be hoping to avoid the "train crash" Rehn has
warned of.