Moscovici promises recovery in Turkish-French relations

French Socialist Party member Pierre Moscovici, who has submitted a bill to French Parliament that aims to penalize denial of alleged Armenian genocide in France, yesterday promised a recovery in relations with Turkey to be ensured by Francois Hollande, who was nominated as Socialist candidate in the race to become France's next president. According to polls, Hollande has extended his lead over French President Nicolas Sarkozy. "Sarkozy is responsible for the current situation of relations," said Moscovici. In reply to a question what sort of an attitude will be taken by Socialists in the course of a possible voting, Moscovici said that they would make a decision at a parliamentary group decision this morning. "The relations between Turkey and France are quite rooted and valuable. We have magnificent ties in economy, along with considerably strong cultural relations. But these relations are quite bad in terms of politics. Sarkozy is responsible for this situation. Socialists have submitted a proposal on the issue as well. But this bill is an initiative taken by him with regard to upcoming presidential elections. The relations were brought to this point, because he has been putting forth Turkey's EU membership bid as a threat and bringing forward this issue in each election campaign, even in local elections. If Hollande was elected president, he would voluntarily take initiative to recover relations with Turkey."