FRENCH MINISTER SEEKS COOPERATION WITHOUT EU BID

Hurriyet Daily News
Friday, October 16, 2009

Attending a conference in Istanbul, the French minister responsible
for European Union affairs says relations between France and Turkey
cannot be viewed only from the vantage point of accession talks. The
minister believes Europe needs to diversify its energy sources,
an endeavor in which Turkey plays an important role

Although Pierre Lellouche is France’s minister responsible for
European Union affairs, the internal matters of the 27-member club
were the only aspect of full-fledged cooperation he did not address
in a speech delivered Friday in Istanbul.

Speaking to an audience at Galatasaray University, Lellouche said
relations between France and Turkey cannot be viewed only from the
vantage point of accession talks. "We cannot [reduce] the whole
economic, political and geo-strategic relationship between the
two countries to the issue of accession," he said. "There can be
differences of view. But even if we have differences, we need to
capitalize on the existing relationship."

Lellouche continued by touching on the "Season of Turkey in France"
currently taking place in the European country, which features some
400 activities, mostly cultural in nature, promoting Turkey. He also
described the recent visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Paris
within the framework of the event as a great moment.

Yet Lellouche was unable to hide his frustration when he saw the
faces of disapproval, since even the French press had reported the
limited hospitality shown to Gul on his visit. "I have not changed;
I am a friend of Turkey," he said, raising his voice.

While he is known to have been supportive of Turkey’s accession to
the European Union, Lellouche is criticized for changing his mind
after becoming a cabinet minister for President Nicolas Sarkozy,
who opposes Turkey’s membership bid.

"We can block everything. But what purpose would it serve y. I have a
lot of respect for Turkey," he said to the Galatasaray audience, which
included former ministers and ambassadors, as well as academics. "Let’s
continue to work. Let’s stop quarrelling. I am not here to quarrel. I
brought here not a message of [tension] but a message of friendship
and hope. Is that clear?"

Arrogance as a common characteristic

In the introduction to his speech, Lellouche recalled that he had come
to Turkey last year to teach at Galatasaray University, the country’s
only university where the curriculum is taught in French. He said
that France and Turkey resemble each other and share similarities
in their national pride, patriotism and ambitions – and in their
arrogance. "We are both a bit arrogant," he said.

The French minister also spoke about the historic deal signed
between Turkey and Armenia last week in an effort to normalize
relations, saying the French government supports the reconciliation
process. He added that France is engaged in the process to resolve
the long-standing territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh that is
the main point of contention between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a close
Turkish ally.

When asked whether the French government is trying to change the
stance of an Armenian diaspora that is known to oppose the recently
signed deal, Lellouche noted that he had people of Armenian ancestry in
his constituency. Yet, he said, despite the demonstrations that took
place in France, the members of the Armenian community are generally
supportive of the process. "I have not felt a radicalization among
the members of the Armenian community," he said. "The representatives
were rather moderate."

During his speech, Lellouche also spoke of the need to diversify
Europe’s energy sources and how important Turkey is in this
endeavor. He did not, however, draw a parallel between the
reconciliation process between Turkey and Armenia and one between
Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The minister further highlighted the importance of realizing the
Nabucco project, at will transport Caspian natural gas to Europe via
Turkey. Due to its irritation at the rapprochement between Turkey
and Armenia, Azerbaijan, which is set to be the main supplier of the
pipeline, is mulling the option of selling its gas to Russia rather
than Europe.

"Peace is a must in Nagorno-Karabakh, and we can not disregard
the interests of Azerbaijan, which is a friend of France," was all
Lellouche had to say when asked about the position of Azerbaijan in
the energy and political equation of the Caucasus.