POLITICS
PREMIER OF FRANCE SAID TURKEY STILL FAR AWAY FROM EUROPE
Speaking at the discussions, Premier Jean-Pierre Raffarin promulgated position of his country related to the mentioned question, and referring to the opinion of the had of state, who stated that “even if during consideration on 17 December in the European Union of the question on admission of Turkey to the structure, majority of member-states will back Turkey, its admission to the Union will take place not earlier than in 2015”, he underlined that in France there would be conducted referendum on the said question.
The Premier noted that “now neither Europe, nor Turkey are ready for solution of the question”, and stated that Turkey “is still far away from Europe in political, economic and social aspects”. His statement aroused great resonance among parliamentarians. Part of them representing numerous parties, backed Turkey, others openly were against the question. The parliamentarians, thus, could not come a common decision.
Ambassador of Turkey to France Ulus Ozulker took part at the discussions.