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 Turkish columnist Utku Cakirozer, who writes for Cumhuriyet daily, touched upon the new phase of French-Turkish relations and the new expectations. Nicolas Sarkozy has finally left president’s office; the French-Turkish relations are described as the worst period during Sarkozy’s presidency.

The newly elected President Francois Hollande, who is holding socialist ideologies, gives Ankara light of hope for better relations. The columnist notices that President Abdullah Gul and PM Tayip Erdogan have sent warm congratulatory letters to Mr Hollande. Moreover, Mr Hollande has become the first president to address the Turkish community in France.

Touching upon the Armenian issue, the writer mentions it will remain as a component part of French-Turkish relations. “Some challenges will indeed occur in cooperation with French socialist president. PACE member Gyulsun Bilgehan says the socialists have always failed to understand Turkey’s approaches in Armenian and Cypriot issues. France’s disposition in the Armenian issue will not change by Sarkozy’s departure,” the columnist said.