Recently allegations have appeared in the press about an agreement or an understanding that has been reached between France and Turkey with a view to establishing an alternative to Turkey’s aim of full membership to the EU. In these press reports, the view that bilateral relations between Turkey and France are independent from Turkey’s EU membership bid has also been noted.

Turkey views its relations with its ally and friend France as a whole. Turkey’s EU accession process, without any doubt, constitutes one of the most important elements of these relations.

Therefore, any understanding between Turkey and France such as the one claimed in the press reports, has never been and never will be possible.

In addition to the unfounded allegations published in the press, it is important for the course of the relations between Turkey and France that all relevant authorities use carefully chosen language.