TURKISH BUSINESS WORLD’S REACTION TO FRANCE
Turkish Press
Oct 25 2006
ISTANBUL – "Adoption of the bill making a crime (in France) the denial
of so-called Armenian genocide will affect both Turkish-French and
EU-Turkey relations negatively," Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO)
Chairman Murat Yalcintas told A.A on Thursday.
"I would like to remind my French friends that a handful French
parliamentarians cannot make a decision about Turkish history. French
Parliament is not authorized to judge Turkey," he said.
"ITO will hold meetings with all French companies in Turkey, as well as
executives of French-Turkish partnerships. We will also have meetings
with officials of all French educational institutions in Turkey,"
Yalcintas said.
On the other hand, Independent Industrialists & Businessmen’s
Association (MUSIAD) Chairman Omer Bolat called on Turkish people to
boycott French products.
Noting that it is necessary to make a long-term and collective
economic boycott against France, Bolat called on members of MUSIAD
to stop their commercial relations with French companies.
On the other hand, International Investors Association of Turkey
(YASED) Chairman Saban Erdikler said that Turkey should not boycott
companies which were established with French capital in Turkey and
invested in Turkey. Erdikler told A.A that now Turkish government
has important responsibilities, adding that the government should
act with cold blood and take initiatives in ECHR and EU on legal basis.
Noting that the trade balance (between Turkey and France) is against
Turkey, Erdikler said that Turkey imports more from France than it
exports to that country. "Thus, France will be affected negatively
of the decision" he said.
Economic Development Foundation (IKV) condemned the decision of French
national assembly, noting that such decisions which restrain freedom
of expression overshadows the reliability of a country which claims
to be the cradle of democracy.