, Turkey
Jan 1 2010
France sticks to "privileged partnership" in Turkey 2009 ties
Few but positive developments occurred regarding EU membership has
been an important handicap in improvement of Turkey-France relations.
Friday, 01 January 2010 14:57
"Season of Turkey" activities that started in France in July have made
an important mark on bilateral relations in 2009.
Turkey has been promoted by over 400 artistic and cultural activities
in more than 70 cities in France.
The "Season of Turkey" activities, which will continue till March
2010, aim to contribute to promotion of Turkey’s dynamics, creative
differences, culture and heritage to the French society.
With the activities, Turkish literature, music, movie, performing arts
as well as visual arts have been introduced to French people.
Also conferences and panel discussions have been organized in economy
aiming to boost trade volume.
The Eiffel Tower, which has become a global icon of France, was lit up
with colors of Turkish flag (red and white) from October 6 to October
11 under the ongoing "Season of Turkey" activities in France.
"Season of Turkey" activities began with a performance of the Turkish
dance group "Anatolian Fire" and a concert by Mercan Dede in front of
the Eiffel tower in July.
Concerts by Turkish singers and particularly cultural and artistic
activities at "Turkish Coffee House" were among the most popular
organizations of the "Season of Turkey".
Turkish President Abdullah Gul and his French counterpart Nicolas
Sarkozy inaugurated "The Ottoman Caftans" exhibition at the Louvre
Museum and "Istanbul for Centuries" exhibition at the Grand Palais.
Also, Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe presented the key of Paris to
Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk, director Nuri Bilge Ceylan and
photographer Ara Guler.
"EU curb"
Few but positive developments occurred regarding EU membership has
been an important handicap in improvement of Turkey-France relations.
Following formal visit of President Gul to Paris in October, French
executives gave up reiterating their statements that Turkey should be
granted "privileged partnership".
Although the French executives said there was no change in their
stance pertaining to Turkey’s EU membership, they were careful in not
using "privileged partnership" expression which caused an uneasiness
in Turkish public.
Despite their opposition to Ankara’s full membership, French
executives, during the visits of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu and State Minister & Chief Negotiator for EU talks Egemen
Bagis, gave assurances that full membership negotiations would
continue.
Although France did not hinder the negotiations, it did not extend
support to opening of new chapter headings with Turkey and did not
remove the veto it had imposed on opening of five chapter headings.
No progress could be recorded on chapter headings; "monetary
provisions", "regional policies", "agriculture", "budgetary
provisions", and "institutions".
Political observers said initiatives of Turkey for mediation in the
Caucasus and the Middle East once again revealed Turkey’s regional
power.
AA