FRANCE-TURKEY: GUL VISITS PARIS, MAIN OPPOSER OF EU ENTRY
by Luana De Micco
ANSAmed
2009-10-07 19:54
(ANSAmed) – PARIS- Turkish president Abdullah Gul arrives in Paris for
a three-day mission that is already viewed as delicate in France, the
main opposer of Ankara’s entry into the European Union. Even before
his arrival in Paris, Gul is attempting to deflate tensions and he
told the French press that "Turkey will have to improve and meet
European regulations". Gul will be in Paris mainly for the "Turkey’s
season in France", with 400 events scheduled to take place in nine
months, including a large art exhibition in the Grand Palais that
Gul will inaugurate together with French president Nicolas Sarkozy
next Friday. His visit will also include political encounters and
Turkey’s bid to join the EU will be the main topic of debate. Some
observers believe that Paris is almost ‘schizophrenic’ because on one
hand it pays homage to Turkey’s culture and people, and on the other
it still prods Ankara about Europe. Various scandalised voices have
been clamouring for some days now at the notion of seeing the Turkish
flag on the Tour Eiffel, the city’s main symbol, until Sunday. The
socialist municipality made it clear that the request was submitted
by the Elysium. The Turkish issue has France divided on several
points, ranging from the respect of human rights to the denial of the
Armenian genocide. But not all is reason for conflict. For example,
Paris does not deny that it appreciates Turkey’s mediation with
Iran and Syria, or in the conflict between Israel and Palestine,
or progress achieved on the Kurdish issue. In an interview published
by Le Figaro, Gul made a conciliatory move: "I will meet president
Sarkozy to assess bilateral relations. It is normal for countries
to have different views on certain matters, but we must not forget
that our relations hinge on converging interests". Gul denied that
relations with Paris are ‘tense’, stating that "our cooperation is
vast". In his opinion there is a ‘misunderstanding’ on the EU-Turkey
issue, and he promised sceptics that "the negotiation process with the
EU aims to improve Turkey and meet European regulations. This job is
up to us, transformation depends on Turkey". Gul also replied on the
‘hot’ issue of the Armenian genocide (which the French Parliament
recognised in 2001) and announced the "creation of a history board
to establish the facts", while on Saturday new diplomatic relations
will be set up between the Armenia and Turkey with the signature of
relative protocols. (ANSAmed).