• Turkey and France forge closer strategic and military ties (March 3)

Under the shadow of a failed attempt by the French Senate to approve the so-called Armenian genocide bill, Turkey and France have forged closer strategic and military ties after signing a 10-year agreement outlining defense and military cooperation in mid-January in Paris. The agreement, pending approval by the Turkish Parliament, will pave the way for both countries to cooperate on strategic issues such as armament and defense.

The agreement was signed by Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, during a visit to France between Jan. 12 and 15, and French Chief of General Staff Gen. Jean P. Kelche. Under the agreement a Defense Cooperation High Committee, which will be in charge of the coordination of the Turkish-French military and defense cooperation, has been established.

Previous steps to improve military ties between Turkey and France were taken on Dec. 13, 1991 when both countries signed a cooperation agreement concerning defense equipment. This was followed by a Sept. 18, 1992 agreement covering security which was amended on July 14, 1995 to include the exchange of classified armament information. The recent agreement on defense and military cooperation marks the first comprehensive agreement on strategic and military affairs between the two countries.

The French Senate recently breathed a sigh of relief after deciding not to include on its agenda a debate on the so-called Armenian genocide bill. Such a decision would have jeopardized the close ties present between Turkey and France not only in the military field but also in trade. The first agreement signed between Ankara and Paris on defense industry cooperation in 1991 came at a time when the United States was creating obstacles for the transfer of military equipment to Turkey.

This period also saw cooperation between Ankara and Paris on defense procurement when Turkey selected the French-German consortium Eurocopter's Cougars for its multipurpose helicopter requirement. Another reason cited for the improved military ties between Ankara and Paris, that have culminated in the signing of a framework agreement, was due to France's absence from the integrated military command of NATO, from which it withdrew in 1966. The absence of France from NATO's military wing necessitated the development of bilateral military ties between Paris and other NATO member countries.

The cooperation will involve the land, air, navy and gendarmerie forces of both countries.

Turkey and France will make regular strategic analyses to help preserve stability and security in the world and in the region. Cooperation in the field of research and development on armament, military equipment and military technology.

Closer ties between Turkey and France are also expected to ease Turkey's integration in European armament projects. Turkey's Land Forces Commander Gen. Atilla Ates was in France in December seeking Paris's support for Turkey's plan to take part in a European multi-national missile program called Euromissile TriGAT MR, which plans to produce medium-range missiles. The European program has already cancelled the production of a long-range missile. (Turkish Daily News, Lale Sariibrahimoglu)