The French Defence Minister Alain Richard has arrived in Turkey on a trip designed to improve military relations, which were damaged by a French law passed last year recognising the killing of Armenians early in the last century.

Mr Richard is expected to hold talks on Friday with counterpart Sabahattin Cakmakoglu and with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

Relations between the two countries became extremely cool after the French parliament passed the law and Mr Richard's arrival is seen as going a long way to heal the breach between the two countries.

Turkish military officials say the visit is intended to mark the resumption of bilateral defence talks but they have cautioned that any thawing in relations is likely to be a gradual process.

Turkey bitter

Ankara recalled its ambassador to Paris and abandoned a series of joint defence projects last year following the passing of the French legislation.