TÜSİAD-TOBB Joint Press Release

 

“As a free, democratic and pluralist discussion platform develops in Turkey regarding many agonizing incident in history, it is threatening that opposite tendencies restricting freedoms of thought and research emerge in France in conflict with European values. Politicians' attempts to teach and judge history will not contribute to the international reputation of their countries. Should this matter, which has been exploited for many years, become a law, the picture will no longer be acceptable for Turkey.

 

When considered with the law that contains the expression "France recognizes the Armenian Genocide in 1915" approved on January 29, 2001; the bill on the agenda of French Parliament that envisages "one-year prison term and 45,000 Euro fine for those who deny genocides recognized by French laws" will shake the foundations of France's relations with Turkey. This implies that France's relations with Turkey will be affected by the French laws, not only from political and economic aspects, but also from all scientific, social, cultural and humane aspects. 

 

We want to warn French political circles at highest level by means of the French business community organizations, with which we have always been in constructive relations as TÜSİAD and TOBB. As TÜSİAD and TOBB administrations, we are concerned about the damages that the said attitude may cause in the positive Turkish-French business environment. As TÜSİAD and TOBB administrations, we are continuing our negotiations with French business community regarding the negative consequences of the state of affairs. In this frame, we will carry out a series of negotiations in Paris on Monday, December 19.  

 

In a period that the conditions of global economic competition become more sophisticated, the efforts for restructuring European Economic Area are continued and important political changes are experienced in the regions surrounding Europe, France's short-dated and narrow-minded political attitude against Turkey, which is the most important partner and prospective member of EU, will give damages to both countries, their economies and their societies. As TÜSİAD and TOBB, we ask France and French politicians to promptly correct this mistake.”