Heavy Blow on Franco-Turkish Relations

Reaction against the French Parliament’s passing of a repressive law banning the denial of an Armenian Genocide in Ottomon Turkey was more or less unified in wake of the news with the Foreign Ministry in Ankara expressing “deep regret” over the development and saying it was a heavy blow to Franco-Turkish relations and business associations warning of economic repercussions.

Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink, prosecuted in Turkey for articles mentioning the genocide, was among those who acknowledged France’s move as a mistake but with hope that Turkey would benefit out of it and perhaps even open its own doors to freedom of expression.

"I don’t believe this bill will be accepted by the Senate” Dink said, recalling that the draft law had been accepted at the lower house of parliament and needed to be submitted to Senate examination. After which it still needs to be approved by the president to go in force.

“But whether it become a law or not” Dink added in an interview with the Turkish NTV television, “no one should be sorry. In my view, this will be gainful for Turkey. But the Armenians will lose”.

Turkey’s prestigious Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) Paris representative Serap Atan said the decision taken at parliament on Thursday was a bad step for French democracy but called for “common sense to prevail” in any further steps to be taken.

Her views coincided with a statement issued by the Direct Businessmen Association (MUSIAD) that warned of warm feelings in the country’s business community to a possible trade embargo on France.

FM: Heavy blow to relations

In a written statement it issued after the French Parliament’s decision, the Turkish Foreign Ministry blasted “the irresponsible initiatives of some French politicians based on false allegations and with no view of he consequences of policies they pursue” and said that as result of these Turkish-French relations “have today received a serious blow”.

The ministry maintained that the draft was a violation of the European Convention which clearly described in which exceptional conditions democratic societies could restrict the freedom of opinion and expression branding it “double standard” for this bill to be brought on the agenda at a time Turkey itself was being asked to take additional steps on freedom of expression despite the “important reforms” it had recorded in the recent years.

Dink: It will be gainful for Turkey

Armenian-Turkish "Agos" newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink said, meanwhile, that Turkey would not be the one to lose out of this bill and expressed belief that “after this, Turkey will display the freedom of expression that has been taken from its hands”.

Stating that until the French vote the world public opinion saw the Armenians as the aggrieved and the Turks as being unjust, Dink noted "From now on the Turkish expression has become the one that is aggrieved. I believe that the Turkish official expression will use these conditions and will display the freedom of expression that has been taken from its hands”.

Dink said that anti-EU circles could be expected to exploit the development and that this itself could lead to problems in Turkey’s relations with the Union.

Saying that the French Parliament continuously used the expression that “Turkey should look to itself”, Dink asked “is Turkey going to be able to look to itself? They have mentioned [Penal Code] article 301. These are not wrong either. There we are against the [violation of] freedom of expression. But in Turkey there are laws, cases, that repress the freedom of expression. Let us do what is right. After that, as France has done in their mistake, they will be left isolated”.

Business: Common-sense reaction

TUSIAD Paris Representative Serap Atan who believes the decision is a blow to French democracy said "It is important that in the steps to be taken after this, common sense prevails in reactions. It is normal for relations to get tense in the diplomatic scene. We need to talk to the French who share our views and ensure this is rejected at the Senate. We will work towards this.”

MUSIAD chairman Dr. Omer Bolat who said there were warm feelings in the business community to impose a trade embargo on France, described the bill as "unjust and unfair”. Bolat said "We are aware that the law passed by the French Parliament is not that much related with the Armenian issue. It is evident that the so-called genocide is just an excuse. The real purpose of France is to block Turkey’s way into the EU”. (EO/KO/II/YE)