KONYA (AA) - French Ambassador to Turkey Paul Poudade said on Tuesday that French President Jacques Chirac defended that Turkey should join the European Union (EU).
Poudade, who visited central city of Konya, told reporters, ''French public has some concerns. Therefore, the president decided to hold a referendum (on Turkey's EU full membership bid).''
When reporters told him that Turkish public was thinking that it was France who was resisting to Turkey's accession the most, and asked about the reason of this resistance, Poudade said, ''I don't agree with this thought. France is not resisting. President Chirac defends Turkey should join the EU. French public has some concerns, therefore the president decided to hold a referendum. I think Turkey's EU accession will be very beneficial when the time comes.''
(BRC-MS)
2004-12-21