France criticises Turkey, which is speaking a language of peace -

Paris/Ankara: French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian lambasted Turkey in strong words, ‘Turkish President Recep Erdogan is speaking the language of peace, since the last few days. But meaningless statements even in such a language are useless. There should be action from Turkey in support of the statements.’ A meeting of the European Union over the Turkish issue is scheduled to be held in the next month, and the decision will be taken regarding the sanctions to be imposed on Turkey. Against the background of the meeting, the Turkish President has suddenly softened his language and has started making claims regarding cooperation with Europe.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned, ‘The Turkish activities in Libya, Iraq, Mediterranean Sea region and Nagorno-Karabakh violate international regulations. Turkey has accelerated its expansionist policies, and we have immense differences. Detailed discussions over the Turkish activities have been held in the meeting of the European Union in the last month, and a decision will be taken soon regarding sanctions against Turkey.’

France and Turkey are at loggerheads over specific issues since the last few years. But the disputes between the two countries have festered further during this year. Both the countries have taken extreme opposite stands over the issues of immigrant influx in Europe, extremists, Libya, Greece and Armenia-Azerbaijan war. The Turkish President had made insulting criticism against French President Macron and had said that Macron needs psychological treatment. France expressed extreme displeasure over the statements of the Turkish President and had called its Ambassador back from Turkey.

Thereafter, there are no signs of the tension between the two countries diffusing and France has started moves to block the Turkish entry into the European Union on a permanent basis. France has begun raising the issue of the activities being carried out by Turkey against the member countries, Greece and Cyprus, very aggressively. Discussions with other European countries also are being held over these issues. A few days ago, the French Foreign Minister had made an open demand to expel Turkey from the Customs Union of the European Union.

Against this background, there are indications that the meeting of the European Union, to be held in the next month, will prove decisive regarding Turkey. It has been observed that the Turkish President has suddenly softened his tone since the last two days, realising the possibility. President Erdogan said that Turkey wants friendly cooperation with the European Union and its member countries. Turkey also wants the membership of the European Union and has expressed hope that the Union will take expeditious steps in that direction.

The French Foreign Minister attacked the statements of the Turkish President in strong words. Accusing that President Erdogan’s statement is hollow, Foreign Minister Le Drian pointed to the Turkish interference in Libya, Mediterranean Sea region and Nagorno-Karabakh. The French Foreign Minister warned that Europe is watching the actions of Turkey, who is speaking the language of cooperation.