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FRENCH BILL STEMS FROM 'CONCERN' AT STRENGTH OF TURKEY, AZERBAIJAN
news.az
Dec 19 2011
Azerbaijan
On 22 December, the French Senate is to discuss a bill criminalizing
denial of genocide recognized by France, which will include denial
that the killings of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey were genocide. What
negative consequences can this bill have for Turkish-French relations,
if it is adopted?
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sent a letter
to President Nicolas Sarkozy, calling on him to block the bill
criminalizing denial of genocide. In his letter, the PM said that,
if adopted, the bill would cause irreparable damage to Turkish-French
relations. Of course, the ruling Justice and Development Party, as
well as the Turkish Grand National Assembly believe that the possible
decision of the French Senate would create major problems in relations
between Ankara and Paris.
What may the Turkish side do in response if the bill is passed?
Time will tell. Of course, the strengthening of Turkey's position in
the region began to worry a number of European countries, including
Paris. France is concerned about the strengthening of Turkey and
Azerbaijan, the increase in the economic participation of the two
countries in Europe and is, therefore, using the Armenian issue in
an attempt to harm the image of our states. European countries raise
the "Armenian" question from time to time when they feel the "need"
to put pressure on Turkey.
Will the Turkish prime minister's letter and the planned visit by
a group of Turkish parliamentarians to France to explain to their
French counterparts the inadmissibility of the bill be enough to
prevent adoption of the law?
We hope that these measures will suffice and will prevent the adoption
of the bill. If adopted, it will harm the interests of France itself.
Can the possible decision of the French Senate influence further the
normalization process of Turkish-Armenian relations?
As you know, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his speech at
the Azerbaijani parliament, put an end to this matter, noting that
the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations should be expected
only when the occupied territories of Azerbaijan are liberated. Turkey
remains committed to these assurances. This is the only true condition
for the normalization of relations with Armenia. Therefore, any steps
taken by European and other forces to change this position will not
bring results.
What joint measures, in your opinion, can Azerbaijan and Turkey take
to counter the aspirations of the Armenian diaspora to achieve the
recognition of the "Armenian genocide" by parliaments in Europe?
Of course, with the increasing political influence of Turkey and
Azerbaijan in the region, strengthening the economies of these
countries, Armenia will be forced to move away from its destructive
activities. Accordingly, Armenia, faced with the joint resistance
of Turkey and Azerbaijan, will not be able to put the "genocide"
on the agenda.
I think that Armenia will stop attempts to have the "genocide"
recognized by parliaments worldwide when it sees strong Turkey and
strong Azerbaijan and will then admit that such actions harm its
own interests.
Similarly, it should be noted that Turkey and Azerbaijan, besides
direct inter-state relations, also cooperate within international
organizations including the UN, OSCE and Council of Europe. But I think
that the level of these relations is not sufficient. Therefore, our
two countries should link their actions in international organizations
to a greater extent.
Moreover, our diaspora organizations should step up their work, since,
as you know, the activity of the Azerbaijani and Turkish diasporas is
not so visible as that of the Armenian dispora. The activity of the
Armenian diaspora is directed against Turkey and Azerbaijan. In this
connection, our diasporas should step up their work and coordinate
to a greater extent.
From: Baghdasarian
news.az
Dec 19 2011
Azerbaijan
On 22 December, the French Senate is to discuss a bill criminalizing
denial of genocide recognized by France, which will include denial
that the killings of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey were genocide. What
negative consequences can this bill have for Turkish-French relations,
if it is adopted?
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sent a letter
to President Nicolas Sarkozy, calling on him to block the bill
criminalizing denial of genocide. In his letter, the PM said that,
if adopted, the bill would cause irreparable damage to Turkish-French
relations. Of course, the ruling Justice and Development Party, as
well as the Turkish Grand National Assembly believe that the possible
decision of the French Senate would create major problems in relations
between Ankara and Paris.
What may the Turkish side do in response if the bill is passed?
Time will tell. Of course, the strengthening of Turkey's position in
the region began to worry a number of European countries, including
Paris. France is concerned about the strengthening of Turkey and
Azerbaijan, the increase in the economic participation of the two
countries in Europe and is, therefore, using the Armenian issue in
an attempt to harm the image of our states. European countries raise
the "Armenian" question from time to time when they feel the "need"
to put pressure on Turkey.
Will the Turkish prime minister's letter and the planned visit by
a group of Turkish parliamentarians to France to explain to their
French counterparts the inadmissibility of the bill be enough to
prevent adoption of the law?
We hope that these measures will suffice and will prevent the adoption
of the bill. If adopted, it will harm the interests of France itself.
Can the possible decision of the French Senate influence further the
normalization process of Turkish-Armenian relations?
As you know, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his speech at
the Azerbaijani parliament, put an end to this matter, noting that
the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations should be expected
only when the occupied territories of Azerbaijan are liberated. Turkey
remains committed to these assurances. This is the only true condition
for the normalization of relations with Armenia. Therefore, any steps
taken by European and other forces to change this position will not
bring results.
What joint measures, in your opinion, can Azerbaijan and Turkey take
to counter the aspirations of the Armenian diaspora to achieve the
recognition of the "Armenian genocide" by parliaments in Europe?
Of course, with the increasing political influence of Turkey and
Azerbaijan in the region, strengthening the economies of these
countries, Armenia will be forced to move away from its destructive
activities. Accordingly, Armenia, faced with the joint resistance
of Turkey and Azerbaijan, will not be able to put the "genocide"
on the agenda.
I think that Armenia will stop attempts to have the "genocide"
recognized by parliaments worldwide when it sees strong Turkey and
strong Azerbaijan and will then admit that such actions harm its
own interests.
Similarly, it should be noted that Turkey and Azerbaijan, besides
direct inter-state relations, also cooperate within international
organizations including the UN, OSCE and Council of Europe. But I think
that the level of these relations is not sufficient. Therefore, our
two countries should link their actions in international organizations
to a greater extent.
Moreover, our diaspora organizations should step up their work, since,
as you know, the activity of the Azerbaijani and Turkish diasporas is
not so visible as that of the Armenian dispora. The activity of the
Armenian diaspora is directed against Turkey and Azerbaijan. In this
connection, our diasporas should step up their work and coordinate
to a greater extent.
From: Baghdasarian