“I respect [the] beliefs of our Turkish friends. Turkey is a great country, great civilization, but the Turks should also respect our beliefs,” Sarkozy told the French press on the sidelines of a funeral for former Czech President Vaclav Havel in Prague. His remarks were published in Turkish by the Anatolia news agency.
“France does not teach anyone a lesson, but it does not want to be taught a lesson either. France sets its policies in a sovereign matter,” he added, asserting that his country does not need permission from other states when deciding its policies. “France has beliefs and respect for human rights, memories,” he said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said in his Twitter feed on Friday that Turkey has respect to beliefs but he added that it is backward to turn historical interpretations and intellectual discussions into dogmatic belief.
Turkey categorically rejects charges of genocide, saying deaths occurred on both sides when Anatolian Armenians revolted against the Ottoman Empire for independence during World War I in collaboration with the invading Russian army. Turkish leaders vowed to bring to the fore French atrocities in Algeria and other countries on international platforms after Thursday's vote.
Turkey is already frustrated with Sarkozy because of his staunch opposition to its stalled European Union bid and his apparent rivalry with Turkey for a preeminent role in Middle Eastern politics.
