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FRANCE STRESSES IMPORTANT TIES WITH TURKEY AHEAD OF SENATE VOTE
Kuwait News Agency
Jan 23 2012
PARIS, Jan 23 (KUNA) -- Only hours before a crucial Senate vote on
the Armenian "genocide" bill here, French officials sought to stress
the importance of ties with Turkey at a time when Ankara is mulling
more sanctions against France over the issue.
The Turkish retaliation after the Lower House of Parliament approved
the Armenian bill in December was immediate, with Ankara withdrawing
its ambassador and freezing political and military ties and even
docking rights for French naval ships.
The Turkish government has said it will increase pressure on France
with more sanctions if Monday's vote approves a criminalisation of
denying the Armenian genocide of 1915. The French body is expected
to confirm December's vote.
"As the President of the Republic and the (Foreign Minister) said, we
are calling for a calming down (of the situation)," Foreign Ministry
spokesman Bernard Valero said.
"We attach the highest importance to our exchanges with Ankara, notably
on international and regional issues." Turkey boycotted an important
meeting in Brussels on Monday concerning the Syrian crisis and this is
viewed as a snub to France, which is eager for a strong Turkish role.
"We are also attached to development of our relations in all domains,"
Valero said of links with Turkey.
But the latest strain, coming after Sarkozy's staunch opposition to
Turkish entry into the European Union, may remain for some time and
could drive Turkey to keep looking east for its future rather than
at Europe. (pickup previous) jk.sd KUNA 231550 Jan 12NNNN
Kuwait News Agency
Jan 23 2012
PARIS, Jan 23 (KUNA) -- Only hours before a crucial Senate vote on
the Armenian "genocide" bill here, French officials sought to stress
the importance of ties with Turkey at a time when Ankara is mulling
more sanctions against France over the issue.
The Turkish retaliation after the Lower House of Parliament approved
the Armenian bill in December was immediate, with Ankara withdrawing
its ambassador and freezing political and military ties and even
docking rights for French naval ships.
The Turkish government has said it will increase pressure on France
with more sanctions if Monday's vote approves a criminalisation of
denying the Armenian genocide of 1915. The French body is expected
to confirm December's vote.
"As the President of the Republic and the (Foreign Minister) said, we
are calling for a calming down (of the situation)," Foreign Ministry
spokesman Bernard Valero said.
"We attach the highest importance to our exchanges with Ankara, notably
on international and regional issues." Turkey boycotted an important
meeting in Brussels on Monday concerning the Syrian crisis and this is
viewed as a snub to France, which is eager for a strong Turkish role.
"We are also attached to development of our relations in all domains,"
Valero said of links with Turkey.
But the latest strain, coming after Sarkozy's staunch opposition to
Turkish entry into the European Union, may remain for some time and
could drive Turkey to keep looking east for its future rather than
at Europe. (pickup previous) jk.sd KUNA 231550 Jan 12NNNN