EUROPEUS

I am writing this article on my way back from Strasbourg. I had gone there to observe President Abdullah Gül's historical visit to the European Council.

On one side, there's Turkey's agenda, and on the other, a visit that will affect this country's long-term relations with Europe.

On one hand, we have the constitutional debates, the referendum chaos and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terror. On the other hand, we have French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's 12-hour visit to Ankara.

I attach a lot of importance to Kouchner's visit.

France holds the key to Turkey's relations with the EU. In addition, the American Congress will discuss the Armenian Genocide project on Oct. 10. If the project goes through, France will be in a position to stop that wind from reaching Europe.

Furthermore, our relations with France are gradually going back on track. The prime minister's meeting with Sarkozy in New York, followed by Kouchner's visit to Ankara, will disperse the black clouds over our relations.

All we have to do is to play this game right.

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