BE GRATEFUL TO FRANCE FOR PROGRESS, SAYS ENVOY

Hurriyet
Dec 23 2008
Turkey

ANKARA – While France readies to deliver the EU presidency to the
Czech Republic, top French envoy to Ankara says Turkey should be
grateful to French presidency as it resulted in the opening of the
two chapters despite pessimistic expectations

With 10 days left until the end of the presidency term of the European
Union, a top French envoy in Ankara said Turkey should be grateful
to the French presidency, for the opening of two chapters despite
pessimistic expectations six months ago.

"You have to consider deeds and facts. If you look at what has been
achieved, I think Turkey should be grateful to the French presidency,"
Bernard EmiÂ~N France’s ambassador to Turkey told the Hurriyet Daily
News & Economic Review in an interview yesterday.

"I guess some people in Turkey were surprised that the French
presidency behaved as it did to move forward on many issues. That
is exactly where we are. We made some commitments and we fulfilled
those commitments," EmiÂ~N said, adding that the French presidency
had kept its promise to be fair, neutral and impartial during the
six-month period.

Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, is known for his opposition
to Turkey’s full membership of the EU. France has already blocked
the opening of five chapters directly related to full membership
status. Public opinion in France is also not very warm to the idea of
Turkey’s accession to the EU. France carried out the presidency term
under conditions that worried Ankara about the future of talks. "We
just feel we have done the utmost to work for this brilliant result of
the opening of two chapters. Let me be very frank. The French system
pushed extremely hard and we had to lobby here in Ankara for certain
decisions to be made. Otherwise it would have been more difficult to
consider opening those two chapters," EmiÂ~N said.

"We were extremely proactive, which has meant success at the end of
the presidency."

Reforms not pushed enough When asked about his assessment of the pace
of reforms in Turkey, EmiÂ~N said messages had been given to Turkey
by various European institutions about the reform process not being
pushed through enough by authorities and that was clearly reflected
in the European Commission’s annual progress report and in other
key EU documents. "I realize the official position of this country
is to continue boldly and swiftly in the direction of negotiations,
but we are disappointed because we feel that there should and could
be more. That is not only a French assessment, but all the members’
assessment," he said. Due to the continuous political crisis and
elections in the country, the government could not focus on the
reform process to speed up negotiations with the EU. Olli Rehn,
EU’s commissioner responsible for enlargement, openly urged Turkey
to proceed with reforms after local elections.

Similarly to Rehn, EmiÂ~N said, "The pace of the negotiation process
will continue to depend on reforms, especially in the political field,
but also on the establishment of good neighborly relations and the
implementation of an additional protocol to the association agreement.

"There is no alternative. If there is no reform and progress, then
it will be difficult to progress with negotiations," he said. Among
the priorities Turkey should pursue are to continue judicial reform,
establish an anti-corruption strategy, ensure effective protection
of citizens rights, full implementation of zero tolerance toward
torture, ensure freedom of religious expression, strengthen cultural
rights and implement measures for social and economic development in
the Southeast.

Better climate between Turkey and France

According to EmiÂ~N, the presidency term has also had a positive impact
on Turkish-French bilateral ties. "The atmosphere is not perfect but
it is much better," he said, adding that the French parliament made a
decision not to vote on a law that would punish those who denied the
Armenian genocide. "Turkish public opinion should listen to this,"
he said.

Asked about his expectations from Turkey’s non-permanent membership to
the U.N. Security Council, EmiÂ~N said they were happy about Turkey’s
election to the prestigious seat. "Turkey will be in the European
group that is why we expect Turkey to be a very active and close
partner, and to take the initiative," he said. "It is going to be huge
responsibility for this country because when you are in the Security
Council you have to think about the interests of the international
community. You are not there to defend your own interests. You have
to play an important role in all issues. So we are sure Turkey will
behave accordingly."

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