EU Observer, Belgium
Dec 14 2004
France calls on Turkey to recognise Armenia killings
14.12.2004 – 07:20 CET | By Honor Mahony EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – In
the latest twist to the debate surrounding Turkey’s eventual
membership of the EU, France has demanded that Ankara recognise the
mass killing of Armenians from 1915
Speaking after a meeting in Brussels on Monday (13 December), French
foreign minister Michel Barnier said “France will pose this question.
I think Turkey as a big country has a duty to remember”.
Mr Barnier made it clear that France’s demand is not a condition for
opening membership negotiations with Turkey but said it would be
raised once talks are opened.
This is a highly contentious issue for Turkey which has refused to
recognise the killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians as genocide.
Ankara insists that between 250,000 and 500,000 Armenians as well as
thousands of Turks were killed when they clashed during World War 1.
Armenians say that their people died or were deported under Turkish
Ottoman rule.
“I believe that when the time comes, Turkey should come to terms with
its past, be reconciled with its own history and recognise this
tragedy”, said Mr Barnier.
France officially recognised the Armenian genocide in 2001 and is now
coming under pressure from Armenians living in France to raise the
issue with Turkey.
Mr Barnier’s words come just three days ahead of a crucial summit of
EU leaders – where Ankara is expected to be given the go ahead to
open negotiations.
However, member states remain divided about the conditions
surrounding its entry – particularly on a propsoal which would
permanently allow member states to impose restrictions on Turkish
workers’ movement in the EU.
Countries such as Belgium, Greece, Finland and Sweden oppose the
measures, which they feel would see Turkey become a second tier
member state.
At the summit, which begins on Thursday and Friday, leaders must also
decide when exactly negotiations will be opened.
It is expected that it will be in the second half of 2005. This would
allow France, where a large section of the population is against
Turkish EU membership, to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution
early in the year – keeping the two issues separate in the public’s
mind.
It is also expected to emphasize that negotiations are open and do
not guarantee EU membership at the end.