PARIS - French press gave broad coverage to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's scheduled visit to France which will start today (Monday), noting that Erdogan would ask France's support for Turkey's full membership to the European Union (EU).
The Liberation Newspaper said that Ankara considered France the last biggest obstacle in front of opening of accession talks between Turkey and the EU.
An article signed by Gerard Dupuy, one of the prominent columnists of the Liberation, said that Turkey must be supported in its efforts to become a EU member.
Meanwhile, Le Figaro newspaper wrote that Prime Minister Erdogan's visit aimed to convince both French and European public opinions on Turkey's EU membership. Recalling that President Jacques Chirac of France described Turkey's EU membership as desirable and irreversible, Le Figaro said that Turkey had made significant progress in the areas such as human rights, rule of law and market economy.
Noting that Turkey could be a model for Arab countries and contribute to stability in the Middle East, Le Figaro added that Prime Minister Erdogan should prove that Turkey was able to do all these, during his visit to France.
(UK-ULG) 19.07.2004