France attaches importance to Armenian-Turkish relations

France's initial four priorities for the six-month Presidency - energy and climate change, immigration, defense, and a review of the EU's farm policy. A major "energy-climate package" will be presented by the end of 2008 and then considered during the EU Climate Conference in Copenhagen in 2009.
France will also seek to promote nuclear energy as an important energy source to ensure diversification and security of supply. A key focus will be on the development of nuclear equipment safety and the issue of waste management.
France wants to make progress on a common European immigration policy during its presidency, with the sensitive issue of illegal immigration top of its list. The planned "immigration pact" would rely on three pillars: the refusal of 'en masse' regularizations, a harmonization of asylum policies and rules for the return of illegal immigrants. The pact will be submitted to the EU heads of state and governments in October with a purpose to encourage the migration policy.
Amid highly important issues is the farm policy, which includes food independence, decrease of food expenditure inequality, sustainable development, ecology protection, high quality and safety.

As to European security and defense, France doesn't possess means for participation in global processes but follows the principle of compatibility with NATO.

Problems in Balkans, Middle East, Asia and Oceania will also be in focus.
Besides, the Irish 'No' pushed the Lisbon Treaty at the very top of an already busy agenda.

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs demonstrated a constructive approach in a search for compromise that could serve as a basis for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution. Their efforts resulted in submission of Madrid principles.

Presidential elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan block any possibility of progress this year. But we so welcome resumption of talks, marked with the presidential meeting on June 6.

France gave green light to continuation of the EU-Turkey talks but we rule out that these talks will result in membership. France's President has outlined his position precisely. Anyway, the issue will be put on referendum.

Your question seems a bit premature. Presently, the matter concerns programs which could be divided into two categories - traditional technical assistance and joint programs that will start this autumn. The list of programs has not been confirmed yet but they are meant for consolidation of the Ombudsman's institute, flight safety (standardization of forms of civil aviation) and preliminary analysis of financial consequences of any legislation.

As far as I know, France has not made a final decision on the issue yet. The Action Plan opens wide possibilities to bring closer the EU and South Caucasus, let it be modernization and democratization or economic closing with a possibility of creation of a free trade zone.

France is among the countries which supported inclusion of the South Caucasus states in the European Neighborhood Policy. It means that the countries of the region are called to develop relations with the EU, basing on common principles and values.

The Armenian-Turkish relations are important for France. French leaders discuss the issue with their Turkish counterparts. We do welcome the proposals of the Armenian side and the messages Turkey has sent recently. We think that a country which wishes to join the European Union can't continuously neglect establishment of relations and keep the borders closed.