Erdogan gets warm welcome from Sarkozy in Paris

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, a staunch opponent of Turkey's EU accession bid, gave a warm welcome to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Sarkozy and Erdogan met over a working lunch with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Chief European Union talks Negotiator Egemen Bagis, and their French counterparts Bernard Kouchner and Pierre Lelouche were also in attendance. Bilateral relations, Turkey's EU accession process, Iran's controversial nuclear program, the rapprochement process between Turkey and Armenia, and joint efforts against terrorism dominated the meeting. Sarkozy reportedly reiterated his opposition to Turkey's full EU membership while saying that Turkey should be tied to the EU with stronger ties as much as possible. In response, Erdogan once again ruled out any option besides full EU membership, saying that accession talks between Turkey and the Union have been going on for three years now. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Erdogan said he remains optimistic about Sarkozy, saying that the French leader could change his opposition to Turkish accession. At the meeting, Sarkozy also asked for Turkish support for tougher sanctions against Iran, claiming that it is trying to develop nuclear weapons. However, Erdogan urged restraint, saying there is still room for diplomacy. On Turkish-Armenian normalization, Sarkzoy said his country is ready to do whatever it can to help the ongoing process between the two countries, calling for ratification of the rapprochement protocols. Sarkozy also pledged that France would continue to stand by Turkey in its fight against the terrorist PKK. The two leaders also confirmed that bilateral relations should be developed further despite disagreements on several matters. Sarkozy also accepted Erdogan's invitation to visit Turkey, saying that he could come to Turkey later this year. About the two leaders' meeting, French daily Le Monde used the headline, "From Stormy to Sincere Ties, From Enmity to Alliance." Erdogan also had separate talks French Senate President Gerard Larcher on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of Turkish Season activities in France. During the meeting, Larcher pointed to the deep roots of French relations with Turkey, stressing its importance to France.