Turks in France take part in EU Constitution debates
While ruling French party the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), led by Nicolas Sarkozy from the conservative anti-Turkey camp in the European Union, was conducting a poll yesterday within the party on the European Constitution, Turks living in France decided to become actively involved in ongoing debates on the European Constitution, which in France is considered to be related to Turkey's EU bid.
France has determined a voting date for a referendum to be held on the European Constitution, with President Jacques Chirac selecting May 29 for a nationwide vote on the charter. The Union of Associations of Citizens of Turkish origin (RACORT) has decided to organize a 10-day-long march starting in Strasbourg and ending in Paris in a bid to inform French public opinion ahead of the referendum on positive developments in Turkey.
The march will start 10 days before the date of the vote. RACORT will arrange conferences in Metz, Nancy, Lyon, Bordeaux and St. Cloud along the route of the march to which several Turkish and French politicians, scientists, academicians, artists and journalists have been invited.
“We need a confrontation with this mentality that doesn't consider Muslims to be citizens of this country,” said Erdo an Tepeba_1, a member of the RACORT administrative board. He said the Turkish community in France has been trying to explain to French public opinion that there have been improvements in Turkey regarding the implementation of human rights; however French politicians have been saying just the opposite. “We want to highlight the real facts concerning Turkey,” he said.
Sarkozy, who is readying himself to be President Jacques Chirac's successor in 2007, believes the European Constitution actually foresees “privileged partnership” for Turkey instead of full EU membership, something the UMP had decided to suggest to Turkey in May. The UMP text voted on by approximately 2,500 delegates in yesterday's poll also foresees “privileged partnership” for Turkey.
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