COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING
Turkish Press
Oct 23 2006
ANKARA – "We expect the EU to take action against the French bill
aiming to criminalize denial of so-called Armenian genocide," Turkish
Justice Minister and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said on Monday.
Replying to questions after the meeting of Council of Ministers, Cicek
indicated that while the EU demanded that there should be improvement
in freedom of expression in Turkey, there have been efforts in France
which restricted this freedom.
Stating that Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul briefed ministers about
the bill in the cabinet meeting, Cicek noted, "we have been holding
talks with our interlocutors in regard to the matter. This situation
(in France) conflicts with basic values of the EU."
"We keep conducting our initiatives. We hope that steps will be taken
against it (the bill), otherwise it will harm basic values (of the EU)
as well as Turkish-French relations," he stressed.
Replying to a question that Turkey might take up a bill which says
that France committed genocide in Algeria, Cicek said, "Turkish
people have some expectations from the government, parliament and
authorities. We are working to prevent approval of this bill. Turkey
cannot remain silent regarding the matter."
Asked what sort of measures Turkey would take, if the bill was
approved, Cicek said, "Turkey has been working regarding every kind
of possibility. Everyone should exert efforts on this matter. The
attitude that France has assumed is wrong."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
