ISTANBUL – Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer met on Monday with French President Jacques Chirac, who is currently in Istanbul for the NATO Summit.
Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier also attended the meeting.
Following the meeting, President Sezer`s Foreign Policy Chief Adviser Sermet Atacanli told reporters that Sezer focused on Turkey`s European Union (EU) membership in his meeting with Chirac.
Atacanli said that Sezer explained once again that Turkey expected France, which was one of leading countries in the EU, to support Turkey`s EU membership.
Atacanli quoted Sezer as saying that Turkey fulfilled all political criteria of EU, noting that Turkey expected to be treated as other countries which fulfilled those criteria.
Stating that Sezer said in the meeting that he expected the report on Turkey that would be announced by EU Commission in October to be positive, Atacanli quoted President Sezer as saying that EU should set a date for Turkey in December to start its membership negotiations with the Union.
Noting that Sezer also focused on Cyprus issue in his meeting with Chirac, Atacanli quoted Sezer as saying that new developments took place after referenda held in Cyprus on April 24 and Turkish Cypriot side showed its determination for solution in referendum. Atacanli said that Sezer noted in the meeting that Greek Cypriot side did not put forth good will on that issue.
Atacanli stated that Sezer stressed that embargoes imposed on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should be lifted immediately.
When asked what were the views of Chirac about Cyprus issue, Atacanli said, “both Chirac and French Foreign Minister, who also attended the meeting, said that they are aware of developments in Cyprus and welcomed the attitude of Turkish side and they noted this. Mr. Chirac said regarding the EU issue, `you know my stance about EU issue. And you also know that my stance is positive.` Mr. Chirac said that Turkey has started its EU trip 40 years ago and the EU has a 40 year of commitment and this commitment concerns a vision related with the future of Europe.“
Atacanli said that Chirac also noted that the commission report which would be presented in October was important.
When asked whether Armenian problem was brought onto agenda during the meeting, Atacanli said that President Sezer stressed Turkey`s sensitivity over the so-called Armenian genocide which is occasionally brought onto agenda of French Parliament.
Atacanli said that Sezer earlier invited Chirac to Turkey and he repeated this invitation during the meeting. Atacanli added that this invitation was accepted and the date would be cleared later.
(EÖ-GC-AÖ) 28.06.2004
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