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E.U. COMMISSIONER REHN WARNS FRANCE: DRAFT WOULD HARM TURKEY - E.U. RELATIONS
Anatolian Times, Turkey
Oct 9 2006
BRUSSELS - EU commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn criticised
the draft legislation on the so called Armenian Genocide in French
Parliament and pointed out to the possible harm that will be caused
by steps taken to that end.
Expressing his views to the press, Rehn said "while the draft in
question was French parliament's problem, it may however would lead
to serious problems in EU-Turkey relations".
Rehn said he is worried about the possibility of adoption of the
draft legislation punishing those who didn't acknowledge the so called
Armenian genocide, and said such a development would harm the dialogue
between Turkey and EU.
Rehn also warned that if the draft was to be put to vote it would
block all the debate about the Armenian issue and would jeopardise
the steps taken towards freedom of thought in Turkey.
Rehn, in his remarks, also referred to his recent visit to Turkey and
pointed out that the Turkish public believe what France was trying
to do was in complete opposition with France's approach to freedom of
thought in Turkey and France itself was harming freedom of expression.
Rehn called on the French MPs to fulfill their responsibilities and
said "I'm asking French parliamentarians to consider the possible
consequences of this draft. Our aim is to deal with this problem within
a serious framework of discussion. I believe French parliamentarians
will act responsibly".
Anatolian Times, Turkey
Oct 9 2006
BRUSSELS - EU commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn criticised
the draft legislation on the so called Armenian Genocide in French
Parliament and pointed out to the possible harm that will be caused
by steps taken to that end.
Expressing his views to the press, Rehn said "while the draft in
question was French parliament's problem, it may however would lead
to serious problems in EU-Turkey relations".
Rehn said he is worried about the possibility of adoption of the
draft legislation punishing those who didn't acknowledge the so called
Armenian genocide, and said such a development would harm the dialogue
between Turkey and EU.
Rehn also warned that if the draft was to be put to vote it would
block all the debate about the Armenian issue and would jeopardise
the steps taken towards freedom of thought in Turkey.
Rehn, in his remarks, also referred to his recent visit to Turkey and
pointed out that the Turkish public believe what France was trying
to do was in complete opposition with France's approach to freedom of
thought in Turkey and France itself was harming freedom of expression.
Rehn called on the French MPs to fulfill their responsibilities and
said "I'm asking French parliamentarians to consider the possible
consequences of this draft. Our aim is to deal with this problem within
a serious framework of discussion. I believe French parliamentarians
will act responsibly".