Hisarcıklıoğlu, visiting the French Ambassador, “Economic relations may suffer”
16.12.2011 / Ankara
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu visited the French Ambassador to Turkey, Laurent Bili. Relaying his reservations on the bill, stating that, “The denial of a genocide recognized by French law is punishable by law with a prison sentence of one year and a 45,000 Euro fine,” which is on the French parliament’s agenda, Hisarcıklıoğlu warned that Turkey-France economic relations may suffer as a result.
Stating that the said bill can potentially damage Turkish-French relations severely, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Turkey-France relations have always been very important to us. We have been in a strategic partnership for centuries. Endangering our long term relationship for short term political expectations is bad. The bill is fundamentally erroneous. It is shocking to see a step in this direction where the foundations of the freedom of expression were established.”
Emphasizing that, in addition to the political aspect, the economic aspects of the issue are very important, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that all their efforts are to perpetuate and develop France-Turkey relations. Stating that they do not want political uncertainty and tension be bar the way of economic cooperation, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Turkish people are emotional, their national reflexes very strong. They will not soon forget injustice. What we expect from you is that you raise awareness to this with your government and legislative bodies.
France’s Ambassador to Turkey Laurent Bili provided information regarding the legislative process in France. Stating that Turkey and France have strong economic relations, Bili said that they do not want for these relations to suffer.
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