Top Turkish officials have said they are hopeful that Turkey will restore ties with NATO ally France under the new leadership of president-elect Francois Hollande, saying that Turkey will wait and see the position of France, Today's Zaman reported.
Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Naci Koru told reporters in Konya that Turkey hopes problems it had with France will be gone with the new president but he said it is difficult to say anything about the future relations, stressing that Turkey will wait and see.
Turkish and French relations were badly strained earlier this year after French Assembly endorsed a bill that makes it a crime to deny the so-called "Armenian genocide". Turkey imposed a set of sanctions on France, cutting military ties and cancelling economic forums. French Constitutional Council later cancelled the decision, ruling that it was a violation of the French Constitution.
Koru added that Turkey hopes to improve relations with France, which he said is an important country that Turkey has been cooperating for long years. Koru noted that Turkey will open a new page with France with the new president and this will have a positive impact on relations between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu told reporters that Turkish and French relations date back to history and that Turkey believes Hollande will take positive steps in France's transformation process.
Davutoğlu urged France to act rational and in line with its tradition, adding that Turkey has always acted with principles. Davutoğlu added that Turkey hopes Hollande and his team will make assessment in this new period regarding Turkish-French relations.