October 9, 2009, Turkish President Abdullah Gul met with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy during his visit to France. The Presidents addressed the issue of Turkey’s membership in the EU, Armenia-Turkey reconciliation, Kurdish PKK and Nabucco Project.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Egemen Bagis, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Secretary of State for European Affairs Pierre Lellouch also attended the meeting, Turkish Sabah newspaper reports.

The French President praised the Turkish leader, saying the Armenia-Turkey rapprochement is Abdullah Gul’s courage. Although it was Serzh Sargyan’s initiative after the Moscow statement, European leaders praise the Turkish side.