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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.

X"dent 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.

  I interviewed Turkish and European foreign affairs experts and French diplomats. These are the points that they all agree on:

  Sarkozy went too far in his comments about Turkey before the French elections. His objective was to prove the difference between him and Chirac and the right wing parties. He committed himself to a harsh attitude toward Turkey.

  However, Sarkozy met with considerable resistance from Europe in the matter of ending the negotiations between Turkey and the EU. The French president realized that his approach would not succeed in stopping these negotiations.

  In addition, the disturbance of relations between France and Turkey provoked severe repercussions on French investments in Turkey and on the political dialogue between the two countries. Sarkozy now wants these relations to revert to normal.

  That presents a dilemma, though, for he does not want to lose the image of a leader of his word, either. He is in a difficult situation. He has to walk a thin line and try to put the relations back on track slowly and without attracting too much attention.

  Turkey must assist Sarkozy in this maneuver. It must not continuously attack him and say, “Come on, say that you'll accept Turkey. Say that you're backtracking.” Turkey must tolerate or ignore some negative statements or reactions that Sarkozy might have to make or display from time to time.

  Improving our relations with France will serve our interests as much as Sarkozy's.

  Paris is showing signs that it will not legalize the Armenian Project by passing it through the senate. It also announces that it is giving the green light to Turkey's accession negotiations.

  Neither France, nor Turkey will get anywhere by fighting.

  In this case, it would be helpful for Turkey and especially its bureaucracy to abandon the policy of harassment against France. Daily politics have done enough harm to both sides.

  That is why I attach such importance to Kouchner's visit.

Europe gives Turkey time credit

  I have spent a great part of my life since 1971 watching the European Council, the EU Parliament and the international parliament's attitude toward Turkey.

  It was impossible to even approach any of these establishments during our times of coups, torture and human right violations. I have even seen our ministers and representatives leave sessions in tears after being severely questioned by angry reporters and parliamentarians.

  We got used to leaving those meetings with red faces. I don't know how many articles I've written in revolt against the governments that put us in such situations.

  From that point of view, I can say that today, Europe has opened a “new period of understanding” for Turkey, a new “time credit.”

  This time, their treatment of Gül, the questions they asked, the way they applauded the answers and the Europeans' very body language was very different.

  What made Europe change?

  I don't think that Europe has changed. I think Turkey did. Turkey did not have credible grounds to defend itself against those questions before. Today, it does. The implementation of the Copenhagen Criteria and of some reforms during the last few years gave us some breathing space. Ankara now has something to say and Europe listens.

  That's the reason why Armenians, Greeks and Kurds did not get what they expected out of Gül's visit.

  Gül's performance was as good as it was realistic. He did not use diplomatic or unintelligible sentences. He stated his views in an everyday language that the man on the street could easily understand. Consequently, he was convincing.

  Gül was very positive about the Turkish Armed Forces. He answered the questions on the Kurdish issue with ease. All he said on article 301, the most questioned issue, was “it will be changed.”

  So, he was applauded.

  Europe's new mild approach is also felt in the European parliament, the Foreign Relations Commission and in the report on Turkey. The harsh and wounding criticism has left its place to a more compassionate and supportive style. We hadn't seen such a moderate report on Turkey for years.

  That's why I say that Europe is on honeymoon with Turkey and has granted it a time credit.

  All we have to do is to use that credit well and in good time.

  * The translation of M.A.Birand's column was provided by Nuran Inanç. nuraninanc@gmail.com.