PARIS (AA) - Dominique de Villepin who has been newly appointed as the French Prime Minister by French President Jacques Chirac, is known as a politician who knows Turkey well and who supports Turkey's EU bid.
Villepin who worked in the French Foreign Ministry for a long time, was also appointed as the French Foreign Minister. During his tenure, Villepin closely monitored and extended support to Turkey's EU bid.
Turkish diplomatic sources said that Villepin was a stable and experienced statesman expressing pleasure about his appointment as the French Prime Minister.
French Senator Xavier de Villepin, the father of Dominique de Villepin, is also a member of the French-Turkish friendship group in the French Senate.
Villepin replaces Jean-Pierre Raffarin who quit earlier on Tuesday.
(֓-MS)
2005-05-31