Anadolu Agency, Turkey
July 5 2012
FM Davutoglu meets French counterpart in Paris
PARIS (AA) -July 5, 2012 -Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met
his French counterpart Laurent Fabius in Paris on Thursday.
In a joint press conference with Davutoglu, Minister Fabius said that
they discussed Syria, Afghanistan, the developments in the Middle
East, Turkey-EU relations, as well as commercial and cultural issues.
France is determined to see Turkey carry forward its relations with
the EU. In a region of instability, our ally Turkey is an
indispensable actor and a factor for stability, Fabius stated.
Our perspective on Syria is highly close to that of Turkey, Fabius stressed.
There are many Turkish citizens living in France and they could act
like bridges between our two countries, Fabius noted.
We want to eradicate differences in views with a sincere approach, Fabius said.
Davutoglu, in his part, said that Fabius was an important statesman
and that he was honoured to meet him in Paris.
We are here to show a will to begin a new term with France.
Turkish-French diplomatic relations are important for the history of
world diplomacy. We had a friendly and comprehensive meeting today.
Differences in views are clear. We have decided to eradicate such
differences not with concerns of domestic politics but through a
common vision, Davutoglu stated.
Our bilateral relations have an important potential. We aim to carry
our our mutual trade volume to 15 billion USD. We could develop
important projects in transportation, energy and tourism, Davutoglu
noted.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul will be highly pleased to host his
French counterpart Francois Hollande in Turkey, Davutoglu indicated.
Turkish sanctions that were implemented against France after a law on
the incidents of 1915 were adopted at the French Parliament were
lifted during Davutoglu's current visit to Paris.
Minister Fabius informed us that he gave the necessary directives to
French officials so Turkey could open consulate generals in Bordeaux
and Nantes, Davutoglu stressed.
-Turkey-EU-
Fabius underlined that Turkey was an important and indispensable actor
in the region.
Asked if France would lift its veto on five chapters in Turkey's EU
negotiations, Fabius stressed that the new French government was
closely going over the files in its hands.
We want to solve the problems with a good will, Fabius said.
In response to a question on the possibility of the new French
government's preparation for a law that would criminalize the
rejection of Armenian allegations on the incidents of 1915, Fabius
said that the issue was a sensitive one for French politicians.
As you know, a related law at the French Parliament was not accepted
by the French Constitutional Court. If we follow the same path, it is
evident that the law would get rejected by the French Constitutional
Court. It does not seem possible for us to follow the same path,
Fabius said.
Minister Davutoglu reminded that Turkey in 2005 made a proposal to
relevant sides to leave the incidents of 1915 to historians.
We are ready for all forms of cooperation without politicizing
history, Davutoglu underlined.
We are against all forms of exploitation of the people's pains with
one sided approach by politicians, Davutoglu also said.
July 5 2012
FM Davutoglu meets French counterpart in Paris
PARIS (AA) -July 5, 2012 -Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met
his French counterpart Laurent Fabius in Paris on Thursday.
In a joint press conference with Davutoglu, Minister Fabius said that
they discussed Syria, Afghanistan, the developments in the Middle
East, Turkey-EU relations, as well as commercial and cultural issues.
France is determined to see Turkey carry forward its relations with
the EU. In a region of instability, our ally Turkey is an
indispensable actor and a factor for stability, Fabius stated.
Our perspective on Syria is highly close to that of Turkey, Fabius stressed.
There are many Turkish citizens living in France and they could act
like bridges between our two countries, Fabius noted.
We want to eradicate differences in views with a sincere approach, Fabius said.
Davutoglu, in his part, said that Fabius was an important statesman
and that he was honoured to meet him in Paris.
We are here to show a will to begin a new term with France.
Turkish-French diplomatic relations are important for the history of
world diplomacy. We had a friendly and comprehensive meeting today.
Differences in views are clear. We have decided to eradicate such
differences not with concerns of domestic politics but through a
common vision, Davutoglu stated.
Our bilateral relations have an important potential. We aim to carry
our our mutual trade volume to 15 billion USD. We could develop
important projects in transportation, energy and tourism, Davutoglu
noted.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul will be highly pleased to host his
French counterpart Francois Hollande in Turkey, Davutoglu indicated.
Turkish sanctions that were implemented against France after a law on
the incidents of 1915 were adopted at the French Parliament were
lifted during Davutoglu's current visit to Paris.
Minister Fabius informed us that he gave the necessary directives to
French officials so Turkey could open consulate generals in Bordeaux
and Nantes, Davutoglu stressed.
-Turkey-EU-
Fabius underlined that Turkey was an important and indispensable actor
in the region.
Asked if France would lift its veto on five chapters in Turkey's EU
negotiations, Fabius stressed that the new French government was
closely going over the files in its hands.
We want to solve the problems with a good will, Fabius said.
In response to a question on the possibility of the new French
government's preparation for a law that would criminalize the
rejection of Armenian allegations on the incidents of 1915, Fabius
said that the issue was a sensitive one for French politicians.
As you know, a related law at the French Parliament was not accepted
by the French Constitutional Court. If we follow the same path, it is
evident that the law would get rejected by the French Constitutional
Court. It does not seem possible for us to follow the same path,
Fabius said.
Minister Davutoglu reminded that Turkey in 2005 made a proposal to
relevant sides to leave the incidents of 1915 to historians.
We are ready for all forms of cooperation without politicizing
history, Davutoglu underlined.
We are against all forms of exploitation of the people's pains with
one sided approach by politicians, Davutoglu also said.