Gul: Tension between Armenian and Turkish Communities of France Should Be Mitigated

PanARMENIAN.Net - "Turkey would not intervene in France's relations with third parties," Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said. He remarked that the Armenian issue would not harm bilateral relations between Turkey and France. He also remarked that more than 400,000 Turks live in France. "Both France and Turkey should take precautionary measures to prevent possible rifts between the country's Armenian and Turkish communities," Gul said.



Gul also said Turkey would initiate a comprehensive campaign in a few months to convince the French public, which has been opposed to Turkey's E.U. membership, to accept Turkey. Gul noted, "The views of France have been very important throughout Turkey's venture toward full membership. Turkey would have never begun negotiation talks with the E.U. if French President Jacques Chirac had not offered his support on Dec. 17," the Zaman writes.