Transcript of the questions and answers of Presidents Holland and Gül, during the press conference on January 27 in Ankara.
François Hollande
“Madam, you recalled that in 2004, I approved the decision of President Chirac opened in the name of France and in the name of Europe, the process of negotiation. I’m still on the line. There is a process that is open. There are 35 chapters, which are provided. So far, there has been only fourteen since 2004 who were treated. Fourteen. So this process should be continued with the toughest subjects. Necessarily the most difficult. How does it end? So here first, no date provided. This will in the end, when all the chapters have been processed, if they are treated, and then depending on the answers that the people concerned should there be a decision that will be, I mean is that which is assumption of membership. And if this is the case, it will be in France anyway, subject to referendum. No need to stir some fear whatsoever. The French people all ways have the last word. But the date is not even mentioned today and we are still far off. But what I have to say the name of France, is that this process must continue. Since that time, there have been useless to predict and then prevent it. And elsewhere during the previous five years, there were twelve chapters which have been settled. So then on the chapters that I think I can bring to the discussion: specifically concerning topics discussed today in Turkey. The separation of powers, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, justice therefore the negotiation process may also allow Turkey to its evolution and to show what she is capable of. And that is the answer that the Turks will bring. ”
Question
Representative to the Paris daily Hurriyet.
I am a journalist who has followed longstanding Franco-Turkish relations in France and I must say I am very pleased with this meeting today and I think that attitude very different from President Holland, change policy that has led over its predecessor is very important. But there is another issue that had distant relationships that level, I will ask the two presidents. The issue of criminalization of the denial of [genocide?] Relations were almost cut at the time. But it is only by rejecting the Constitutional Council that relations were resumed calmly, and then there is a decision that was taken in Switzerland in the same direction, but the European Court of Human Rights has broken . How do you manage this issue, Mr. Chairman Holland. Is that for example in the context of the Framework Convention of the European Union, do you want to adapt it to domestic law, is what you will give to the agenda Act criminalizing the denial of genocide, how do you act on it and what is the attitude of Turkey in this regard, President LUG.
Abdullah Gul
Earlier I told you that both the maintenance head to head in the meeting between delegations, we spoke very honest and sincere in all subjects. And of course, we have also addressed these issues here because we know that these are issues that sometimes control for months in our relationship. I’d like to know the following. The suffering that was experienced there a century, during the events of the time, they are suffering are common to us all. There are not only the Armenian citizens of Turkey who have suffered. Muslim citizens of Turkey have also suffered. Three million people were forced to flee to Turkey being massacred en route for many years. If we try to live again the pain of that time, from generation to generation in the future, if we keep all these sufferings time it will not be a good thing. We must leave it to historians more accurately, do not repeat the experience trauma do not live again suffering. We must solve these problems by historians. We are ready to open our archives, we opened and if a third country wants to participate in this work, create a common historical commission, we are ready. We can do that, we’re ready. For example, consider the relationship between France and Algeria, that is the path that has been chosen. There can be no attitude and unilateral solution to this kind of memory problem. Must solve memory problems together. Second, there may have very different views on these issues. Our previous laws in Turkey did not allow that we can openly discuss these issues. But we changed our laws, since today there are people who are for or against this problem. All that we can say whatever he wants on these issues. I believe that many of our French friends do not know. Many of our French friends believe that there are still many questions that are taboo in Turkey. No. In Turkey you can tell, you can write, you can have allegations, you can say what you think including this issue. Time. While in Turkey we have the right to say what you want in one direction or the other in Turkey, we believe it would be natural that France, too, the same freedom of opinion exists, and center of the freedom of opinion is Europe after all anyway. And we believe that the decision of the French Constitutional Council is a decision we have received with great respect. Similarly, we welcomed with great respect the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case PERINCEK. She is in favor of freedom of opinion. This is how you should see things. Again, we must ensure that future generations can continue to relive all suffering. Should we get to create friendship, now, today. In war, the Battle of Gallipoli, there were soldiers who came from Australia, New Zealand to come fight on our land, but we managed to overcome this. Each year, there are friends who come from Australia, New Zealand, thousands of people come every year on the anniversary of the Battle of the Dardanelles and we now talk about our friendship. And that’s why, as this event also must as citizens of this geography must we get to create a new friendship. This is where we will tend.
François Hollande
“Working memory is still painful. It must be done. What we have to carry the one and the other is the reconciliation through the search for what happened and the recognition of what happened. It is true that we will enter a period of commemoration, as this year, it will be the commemoration of this terrible conflict that was the Great War. And then there will be 2015 and we have to use this time to work. You ask me about what we will do. We will do the right and just right. This is the position I have adopted and which can be understood by all. Laws were passed, a law was passed in France. from there, we need to make sure to meet all obligations, including Europe, since we also have a framework decision, you mentioned, of 2008, which requires each state to criminalize the glorification or the denial of genocide. So we will make sure to transpose this Directive into line with international agreements, decisions of our constitutional council, the best of ways. Thank you. ”
Jean Eckian © armenews.com