Bouillon voices support for Turkey's EU membership bid

Cristophe Bouillon, head of the French-Turkey Friendship Group in the French Parliament, said that French President Francois Hollande should lift the obstacles that prevent Turkey’s EU membership. Speaking to the Zaman daily prior to a meeting to be held by Francois and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Paris today, Bouillon said that concrete steps should be taken to remove the traces of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy. "Everybody in Turkey is waiting for the visit to be paid by Holalnde. He should make people forget the six-hour visit paid by Sarkozy which has left a negative impression. Turkey seriously expects Holland to take concrete steps. France should open negotiations on five chapters which were frozen, when Sarkozy was the president," Bouillon said. In response to a question about Turkey’s possible membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Bouillon said that the EU should respect Turkey. "Turkey is conducting an ambitious economic project for the year 2023. It’s sad that the EU remains a mere spectator to these developments. I am sure that Turkey will make many contributions to the EU," Bouillon added.