France insists on the close ties with Turkey despite all the words of German Chancellor that Turkish membership of the European Union should be halted. Emmanuel Macron believes that Turkish-French relationships will stay as close as possible.
President Emmanuel Macron assured his Turkish counterpart and whole European community that Turkey remains a vital partner of the European Union and ties should be maintained even if the country had taken a worrying turn of late.
The interview of Mr Macron to the to Greece’s Kathimerini followed the words of Angela Merkel who said on Sunday that talks on Turkish membership of the European Union should be halted.
Speaking to Kathimerini newspaper, President Macron was quoted as saying:
“Turkey has indeed strayed away from the European Union in recent months and worryingly overstepped the mark in ways that cannot go ignored, notably concerning the customs union”.
But I want to avoid a split because it’s a vital partner in many crises we all face, notably the immigration challenge and the terrorist threat.
Macron about oil and gas in future France
The relations with Turkey is important – this country is a vital partner for France because President Macron wants to make France carbon neutral by 2050. He plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions by leaving fossil fuels, blamed for contributing to global warming, in the ground.
Under the draft presented to cabinet, France will no longer issue exploration permits. The extension of current concessions will be gradually limited until they are phased out by 2040 – when France plans to end the sale of gasoline and diesel vehicles.
