FRENCH AMBASSADOR’S STATEMENT CRITICIZED IN TURKEY
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 25 2006
"Ambassador of France to Armenia Henri Cuny’s remarks on the issue
of Turkish borders are not wise," Dr. Sedat Lachiner, Director of
Ankara-based International Strategic Research Organization, stated,
APA ‘s Turkey reports.
He said all countries have their own control on their own borders.
This kind of claims badly affects Turkish public opinion and undermine
the credibility of the EU and France in Turkey.
"Most of the people now in Turkey consider France as hostile country
and see the French support for the Armenians as the religious
solidarity" Dr. Laciner added. Similarly Dr. Mehmet Ozcan, another
Turkish expert, said that Turkey sincerely seeks to develop good
relations with Armenia and air borders have been open between Turkey
and Armenia. But no improvement was seen in relations because of
Armenia. According to Mr. Ozcan, Armenia does not want to develop
relations with Turkey.
"Armenia aims to increase the tension to get the Western support
against Turkey. They do not recognize Turkey’s national borders and
they do expect open borders. If Turkey does not recognize France’s
national borders and occupies an EU member state, will France keep
its borders with Turkey open?" he said.
Henri Cuny, Ambassador of France to Armenia, said when meeting with
Armenian students in Armenia that once Turkey joins the EU, the issue
of its borders will be decided not by itself but by the central EU
headquarters in Brussels.
"This is the order. And entering the EU suggests open borders. The
question is, when this is to happen", said Cuny.