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France-Turkey Relations Back On Track

The announcement that France has lifted some roadblocks to Turkey’s membership in the European Union signals that relations between the two countries are on a more positive track, writes Semih Idiz.
Turkey's EU Minister Egemen Bagis (L) and Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt hold a joint news conference at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm in this picture provided by Scanpix January 16, 2013. REUTERS/Claudio Bresciani/Scanpix (SWEDEN - Tags: POLITICS) 

ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR  EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. SWEDEN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SWEDEN. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RE

France announced on Feb. 12 that it would partially lift its blockage of Turkey’s European Union path, thus setting the stage for improved ties with Ankara and raising hopes that Turkey’s stalled relations with the EU can be reanimated.

Improved ties between Ankara and Paris are also expected to end the rivalry between the two countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), placing them in a more cooperative mode that contributes to stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

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