FRENCH AMBASSADOR: TURKEY WILL LOSE ITS CONTROL ON ITS BORDERS

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Oct 24 2006

Henri Cuny, Ambassador of France to Armenia, argued when meeting with
Armenian students in Armenia that once Turkey joins the EU, the issue
of its borders will be decided not by itself but by the central EU
headquarters in Brussels. "This is the order. And entering the EU
suggests open borders. The question is, when this is to happen",
says Cuny.

Dr. Sedat Laciner from Ankara-based Turkish think tank USAK says Mr.
Cuny’s remarks are not wise. "All countries have their own control
on their own borders. This kind of claims badly affect Turkish public
opinion and undermine the credibility of the EU and France in Turkey.

Most of the people now in Turkey consider France as hostile country and
see the French support for the Armenians as the religious solidarity"
Dr. Laciner added.

Similarly Dr. Mehmet Ozcan, another Turkish expert, told the JTW that
"Turkey sincerely seeks to develop good relations with Armenia and
air borders have been open between Turkey and Armenia.". According
to Mr. Ozcan Armenia does not want to develop relations with Turkey:
"Armenia aims to increase the tension to get the Western support
against Turkey. They do not recognize Turkey’s national borders and
they do expect open borders. If Turkey does not recognize France’s
national borders and occupies an EU member state, will France keep
its borders with Turkey open?"

Turkey-Armenian borders have been closed since Armenia attacked
and occupied neighboring Azerbaijan’s territories. Armenia does not
recognize Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s national borders and makes great
efforts to undermine Turkey’s national interests everywhere.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress