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AT LAST, A FRENCH PRESIDENT VISITING TURKEY
Today's Zaman, Turkey
Jan 28 2014
BERÄ°L DEDEOÄ~^LU
It is too early to call French President Francois Hollande's two-day
official visit to Turkey a historic one, but there is no doubt that
this was an important and critical moment for Turkey and Turkey's
relations with France and Europe.
On several occasions President Hollande declared that France is
ready to cooperate with Turkey in a number of areas, including energy
investments, the defense industry and organic farming, in addition
to reiterating his desire to improve commercial relations between
the two countries. Turkey is eager for international cooperation
on these issues, but the question remains why France would be a
suitable partner.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy damaged the bilateral
relationship by his clear and persistent pronouncements that no matter
what, he would block Turkey's entry into the European Union.
However, a different kind of relationship has begun between the two
countries. For example, President Hollande mentioned the zones with
land mines along the Turkish-Syrian border. We know that a number of
countries have suggested that Turkey demine the area for use in organic
farming, and Hollande might have had the same idea in mind when he
said that France could help Turkey deal with the Syrian refugee crisis.
Turkey would accept cooperation with France in all these areas
in exchange for France agreeing to assist Turkey in its bid for
EU membership. If not, Turkey could decide to cooperate with other
countries: perhaps with India for organic farming, Brazil for energy
exploitation and Germany for the defense industry.
The key issue in the Franco-Turkish relationship is, of course,
Turkey's EU application process. If France undertakes to bring Turkey
into the EU -- in other words, if it does for Turkey what Germany did
for Poland -- then Turkey will have every reason to deepen cooperation
with France.
France hasn't come to a decision, but it was clear that Hollande's
visit was marked by mutual goodwill. It seems that France will refrain
from previous levels of criticism about Turkey's democratic problems
and Turkey will not make too much fuss about France's position on
the Armenian issue. It does seem like an unusual bargain, but this
is the nature of realpolitik in the international arena.
It is not easy to predict the future evolution of Turkey's EU
application, but we can at least be sure that France will not impede
progress from now on.
Maybe the most critical topic discussed during this visit was the
Syrian crisis. Hollande has admitted that things didn't go as planned
in Syria, but affirmed that Assad can not be allowed to remain
in power. This is exactly what Turkey has been saying since the
beginning: The solution does not involve Assad. Moreover, Hollande
has confirmed that France and Turkey are cooperating in the struggle
against radical Islamist terrorism. This declaration was greatly
appreciated by Ankara, given that Turkey is frequently accused of
helping groups linked to al-Qaeda in the Syrian civil war. Hollande
said Turkey is helping European countries to prevent their citizens
from travelling to fight with al-Qaeda in Syria, further distancing
himself from those who accuse Turkey of sponsoring terrorist groups.
It's a pity that the current media interest in Hollande is only as
a result of his private life. He has proven in Turkey that he is a
serious statesman who prepares his visits meticulously, supported
by a dedicated and efficient team; all his words and gestures were
carefully and deliberately chosen.
I also must add that it was a real honor to host President Hollande
at Galatasaray University. This visit proves that we now have a real
chance to strengthen ties between France and Turkey and to push
forward Turkey's EU membership application. Let's hope that both
countries will seize this opportunity.
http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist/beril-dedeoglu_337849_at-last-a-french-president-visiting-turkey.html
Today's Zaman, Turkey
Jan 28 2014
BERÄ°L DEDEOÄ~^LU
It is too early to call French President Francois Hollande's two-day
official visit to Turkey a historic one, but there is no doubt that
this was an important and critical moment for Turkey and Turkey's
relations with France and Europe.
On several occasions President Hollande declared that France is
ready to cooperate with Turkey in a number of areas, including energy
investments, the defense industry and organic farming, in addition
to reiterating his desire to improve commercial relations between
the two countries. Turkey is eager for international cooperation
on these issues, but the question remains why France would be a
suitable partner.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy damaged the bilateral
relationship by his clear and persistent pronouncements that no matter
what, he would block Turkey's entry into the European Union.
However, a different kind of relationship has begun between the two
countries. For example, President Hollande mentioned the zones with
land mines along the Turkish-Syrian border. We know that a number of
countries have suggested that Turkey demine the area for use in organic
farming, and Hollande might have had the same idea in mind when he
said that France could help Turkey deal with the Syrian refugee crisis.
Turkey would accept cooperation with France in all these areas
in exchange for France agreeing to assist Turkey in its bid for
EU membership. If not, Turkey could decide to cooperate with other
countries: perhaps with India for organic farming, Brazil for energy
exploitation and Germany for the defense industry.
The key issue in the Franco-Turkish relationship is, of course,
Turkey's EU application process. If France undertakes to bring Turkey
into the EU -- in other words, if it does for Turkey what Germany did
for Poland -- then Turkey will have every reason to deepen cooperation
with France.
France hasn't come to a decision, but it was clear that Hollande's
visit was marked by mutual goodwill. It seems that France will refrain
from previous levels of criticism about Turkey's democratic problems
and Turkey will not make too much fuss about France's position on
the Armenian issue. It does seem like an unusual bargain, but this
is the nature of realpolitik in the international arena.
It is not easy to predict the future evolution of Turkey's EU
application, but we can at least be sure that France will not impede
progress from now on.
Maybe the most critical topic discussed during this visit was the
Syrian crisis. Hollande has admitted that things didn't go as planned
in Syria, but affirmed that Assad can not be allowed to remain
in power. This is exactly what Turkey has been saying since the
beginning: The solution does not involve Assad. Moreover, Hollande
has confirmed that France and Turkey are cooperating in the struggle
against radical Islamist terrorism. This declaration was greatly
appreciated by Ankara, given that Turkey is frequently accused of
helping groups linked to al-Qaeda in the Syrian civil war. Hollande
said Turkey is helping European countries to prevent their citizens
from travelling to fight with al-Qaeda in Syria, further distancing
himself from those who accuse Turkey of sponsoring terrorist groups.
It's a pity that the current media interest in Hollande is only as
a result of his private life. He has proven in Turkey that he is a
serious statesman who prepares his visits meticulously, supported
by a dedicated and efficient team; all his words and gestures were
carefully and deliberately chosen.
I also must add that it was a real honor to host President Hollande
at Galatasaray University. This visit proves that we now have a real
chance to strengthen ties between France and Turkey and to push
forward Turkey's EU membership application. Let's hope that both
countries will seize this opportunity.
http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist/beril-dedeoglu_337849_at-last-a-french-president-visiting-turkey.html