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Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
May 7 2008
France Offers Assistance in Establishing Relations between Turkey and Armenia
Wednesday , 07 May 2008
By Sevgi YUZERCAN
France's Foreign Minister Bernard said that France was ready to help
Armenia and Turkey regarding closed territorial borders between two
countries.
`I raised the issue during a meeting with Turkey's Ali Babacan and his
approach seemed positive but the reasons for keeping the border closed
are not understandable for me' FM Kouchner said after talks with
Armenia's Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.
For his part, Minister Nalbandian said `Both Armenia and Turkey as
well as the entire region will benefit from normalization of relations
without preconditions'.
Fatma Yılmaz from the USAK, Ankara-based Turkish think tank,
told the JTW that France is not the perfect candidate to help Turkey
and Armenia in normalising relations. "France is sceptical about
Turkey's place in Europe. Mr. Sarkozy opposes Turkey. France's Turkey
opposition is based on cultural, religious and civilazational
differences. France has fully supported Greece, Greek Cyprus and
Armenia against Turkey and Azerbaijan. That's why France cannot be a
mediator between Turkey and Armenia." she added. According to
Mrs. Yılmaz Turkey's EU membership would help to normalize
Turkey-Armenia relations.
Armenia does not recognise Turkey's and Azerbaijan's national
borders. Armenia also organizes global anti-Turkey campaigns to harm
Turkish interests everywhere. Turkey closed down its territorial
borders when the Armenian forces occupied about 20 percent of
Azerbaijan.
May 7 2008
France Offers Assistance in Establishing Relations between Turkey and Armenia
Wednesday , 07 May 2008
By Sevgi YUZERCAN
France's Foreign Minister Bernard said that France was ready to help
Armenia and Turkey regarding closed territorial borders between two
countries.
`I raised the issue during a meeting with Turkey's Ali Babacan and his
approach seemed positive but the reasons for keeping the border closed
are not understandable for me' FM Kouchner said after talks with
Armenia's Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.
For his part, Minister Nalbandian said `Both Armenia and Turkey as
well as the entire region will benefit from normalization of relations
without preconditions'.
Fatma Yılmaz from the USAK, Ankara-based Turkish think tank,
told the JTW that France is not the perfect candidate to help Turkey
and Armenia in normalising relations. "France is sceptical about
Turkey's place in Europe. Mr. Sarkozy opposes Turkey. France's Turkey
opposition is based on cultural, religious and civilazational
differences. France has fully supported Greece, Greek Cyprus and
Armenia against Turkey and Azerbaijan. That's why France cannot be a
mediator between Turkey and Armenia." she added. According to
Mrs. Yılmaz Turkey's EU membership would help to normalize
Turkey-Armenia relations.
Armenia does not recognise Turkey's and Azerbaijan's national
borders. Armenia also organizes global anti-Turkey campaigns to harm
Turkish interests everywhere. Turkey closed down its territorial
borders when the Armenian forces occupied about 20 percent of
Azerbaijan.