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EU CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE AND POLITICAL STEPS
BÝA, Turkey
Oct 26 2007
Condemning the PKK attacks, the EU has also called on Turkey to
refrain from cross-border operations. Turkey and Iraq are called upon
to seek lasting solution. Býa news centre 26-10-2007 Tolga KORKUT
The European Parliament (EP) has called on the PKK to announce an
immediate and unconditional ceasefire. It has also asked Turkey to
refrain from disproportionate military operations which would violate
Iraq's territories. The assembly of the EP on Wednesday (24 October)
was joined by representatives of the European Council and the European
Commission. The EP debated the yearly progress report of Turkey. The EU
Commission will announce the full report within two weeks. Condemnation
of PKK violence, call for ceasefire The EP has strongly condemned the
PKK violence and has called on it to announce a ceasefire. It has also
called on the new government to work on initiatives which would lead
to a lasting solution to the Kurdish question. The parliament drew
attention to the fact that the southeast of Turkey is in need of an
extensive strategy in order to develop socially and economically. Call
on Turkey and Iraq to seek political solution The EP also emphasised
the importance of "fighting against terrorism in proportion with the
threat and faithful to legal organs and standards". It expressed its
worry about possible cross-border military operations into Northern
Iraq. The EP has called on Turkey and Iraq to cooperate in security
matters in order to prevent the terrorist activities coming from
Northern Iraq. Ollie Rehn, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the
EU, said that the Commission condemned the attacks of the PKK, which
was on the EU list of terrorist organisations, but called on Turkey
and Iraq's regional authorities to seek a political solution of the
Kurdish question.
Action against extremism, reform of 301 Discussing other issues in
Turkey, the EP has strongly condemned the murders of journalist and
human rights activist Hrant Dink and the priest Andrea Santoro. It
emphasised the need for "immediate and effective action against all
kinds of extremism and violence". Pointing to the trials of many
people under Article 301 of the new Turkish Penal Code, the EP has
stated that press freedom and freedom of expression had to be one of
the government's priorities. Rehn also said that a reform of Article
301 was indespensible in order for Turkey to become reconciled with
its past. More civilian auditing of army, secret services and police
Expressing its worry at the army's continuing interference in politics,
the EP emphasised that full and effective civilian auditing of the army
needed to be aimed at. Furthermore, it called on parliamentary auditing
of Turkey's secret services, the gendarmerie and police. Relations with
Cyprus and Armenia The parliament has called on the Turkish government
to fulfill the responsibilities put down in the Ankara Protocol. It
was particularly concerned about Cyprus and Armenia. The EP stated
that if Turkish forces were withdrawn from Cyprus, that negotiations
for a solution would be made easier. Rehn said that the Commission
would support such a process.
In addition, the EP has asked for a special EU Commission report on
the application and effectiveness of financial support means for the
Turkish society in Cyprus. The EP has also called on the Turkish and
Armenian governments "to initiate a process of compromise/solution,
both concerning today and the past". Praise and hope for positive
developments The EP has interpreted the election of the new president
as a sign of the strength of democracy in Turkey and has expressed
its pleasure at the new government's dedication to developing the
reform process and initiating a new and civil constitution which would
protect basic rights and freedoms. Rehn has also called on the EU
to remain faithful to the enlargement perspective concerning Turkey
which was envisaged before negotiations were started.
--Boundary_(ID_y63MXC+/ekUA4hr9SfcO4A)--
BÝA, Turkey
Oct 26 2007
Condemning the PKK attacks, the EU has also called on Turkey to
refrain from cross-border operations. Turkey and Iraq are called upon
to seek lasting solution. Býa news centre 26-10-2007 Tolga KORKUT
The European Parliament (EP) has called on the PKK to announce an
immediate and unconditional ceasefire. It has also asked Turkey to
refrain from disproportionate military operations which would violate
Iraq's territories. The assembly of the EP on Wednesday (24 October)
was joined by representatives of the European Council and the European
Commission. The EP debated the yearly progress report of Turkey. The EU
Commission will announce the full report within two weeks. Condemnation
of PKK violence, call for ceasefire The EP has strongly condemned the
PKK violence and has called on it to announce a ceasefire. It has also
called on the new government to work on initiatives which would lead
to a lasting solution to the Kurdish question. The parliament drew
attention to the fact that the southeast of Turkey is in need of an
extensive strategy in order to develop socially and economically. Call
on Turkey and Iraq to seek political solution The EP also emphasised
the importance of "fighting against terrorism in proportion with the
threat and faithful to legal organs and standards". It expressed its
worry about possible cross-border military operations into Northern
Iraq. The EP has called on Turkey and Iraq to cooperate in security
matters in order to prevent the terrorist activities coming from
Northern Iraq. Ollie Rehn, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the
EU, said that the Commission condemned the attacks of the PKK, which
was on the EU list of terrorist organisations, but called on Turkey
and Iraq's regional authorities to seek a political solution of the
Kurdish question.
Action against extremism, reform of 301 Discussing other issues in
Turkey, the EP has strongly condemned the murders of journalist and
human rights activist Hrant Dink and the priest Andrea Santoro. It
emphasised the need for "immediate and effective action against all
kinds of extremism and violence". Pointing to the trials of many
people under Article 301 of the new Turkish Penal Code, the EP has
stated that press freedom and freedom of expression had to be one of
the government's priorities. Rehn also said that a reform of Article
301 was indespensible in order for Turkey to become reconciled with
its past. More civilian auditing of army, secret services and police
Expressing its worry at the army's continuing interference in politics,
the EP emphasised that full and effective civilian auditing of the army
needed to be aimed at. Furthermore, it called on parliamentary auditing
of Turkey's secret services, the gendarmerie and police. Relations with
Cyprus and Armenia The parliament has called on the Turkish government
to fulfill the responsibilities put down in the Ankara Protocol. It
was particularly concerned about Cyprus and Armenia. The EP stated
that if Turkish forces were withdrawn from Cyprus, that negotiations
for a solution would be made easier. Rehn said that the Commission
would support such a process.
In addition, the EP has asked for a special EU Commission report on
the application and effectiveness of financial support means for the
Turkish society in Cyprus. The EP has also called on the Turkish and
Armenian governments "to initiate a process of compromise/solution,
both concerning today and the past". Praise and hope for positive
developments The EP has interpreted the election of the new president
as a sign of the strength of democracy in Turkey and has expressed
its pleasure at the new government's dedication to developing the
reform process and initiating a new and civil constitution which would
protect basic rights and freedoms. Rehn has also called on the EU
to remain faithful to the enlargement perspective concerning Turkey
which was envisaged before negotiations were started.
--Boundary_(ID_y63MXC+/ekUA4hr9SfcO4A)--