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PACE PRESIDENT VISITS ANKARA
[07:11 pm] 15 January, 2008
Democratic progress must be strengthened by
constitutional and legislative reforms, declares PACE
President in Ankara.
Strasbourg, 15.01.2008 - "I praise the strong
commitment of the Turkish authorities to continuing
democratic reforms," declared René van der Linden,
President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE), at the end of his official visit to
Turkey (Ankara and Konya) from 13 to 15 January 2008.
"The parliamentary and presidential elections in 2007
confirmed the stability of Turkish democracy and
resulted in a more pluralistic and representative
Parliament with an increased participation of women
and MPs from the South-East of Turkey," said the
President. "However, discussions must continue on
lowering the ten per cent threshold for the
Parliament, which remains the highest in Europe."
"The democratic reforms must be stabilised and
strengthened by corresponding constitutional and
legislative measures, as called for by the Assembly
upon the closing of the monitoring procedure in 2004."
"These measures must, among others, strengthen the
guarantees of the freedom of expression and religion,
the independence of justice, the fight against
corruption and establish an effective Ombudsman's
office."
In this connection, Mr van der Linden urged the
Turkish authorities to change Article 301 of the
Criminal Code to bring it into conformity with Council
of Europe standards. "I was encouraged by the
commitment of the President of Turkey to make progress
on this issue, as he also declared in his speech
before the Assembly in Strasbourg in October 2007,"
said Mr van der Linden.
The continuation of the reform process is the best way
to achieve progress in accession negotiations with the
EU, he continued. "If Turkey fulfils its democratic
commitments, the EU must also keep its promises as
regards Turkish membership in the EU." The PACE
President invited Turkey to fully use the potential of
the Council of Europe and its instruments, including
the expertise of the Venice Commission.
"As a democratic Muslim country, Turkey plays an
indispensable role in promoting inter-religious and
intercultural dialogue. This has been demonstrated by
the joint initiative of the Prime Ministers of Turkey
and Spain on an 'Alliance of Civilisations', now
holding its first Forum in Madrid. The Council of
Europe and its Assembly, bringing together
representatives from different cultures and religions,
is a natural partner in this Alliance."
Finally, the PACE President stressed the Assembly's
potential for contributing to a solution of the Cyprus
issue. He cited the historic meeting of religious
leaders from both communities, held under his auspices
in February 2007, as well as the fact that the
Assembly is the only European institution to associate
elected representatives of the Turkish Cypriot
community in its work, as concrete examples of the
Assembly's contribution so far.
"I chose Turkey for my last official visit as PACE
President to underline the importance of this country
for the future of Europe. Turkey will play an
increasing role, both in economic and geopolitical
terms, and it is in the interest of all to have Turkey
as a partner committed to European values," concluded
Mr van der Linden.
During the visit, Mr van der Linden met in Ankara with
the President of the Republic, Abdullah Gül, the
President of the Grand National Assembly, Köksal
Toptan, the State Minister for Economic Affairs,
Mehmet Simsek, the Chair of the EU Harmonisation
Committee, Yasar Yakis and the Chair of the Foreign
Affairs Committee, Murat Mercan. In Konya, he met the
Governor and the Mayor.
PACE PRESIDENT VISITS ANKARA
[07:11 pm] 15 January, 2008
Democratic progress must be strengthened by
constitutional and legislative reforms, declares PACE
President in Ankara.
Strasbourg, 15.01.2008 - "I praise the strong
commitment of the Turkish authorities to continuing
democratic reforms," declared René van der Linden,
President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE), at the end of his official visit to
Turkey (Ankara and Konya) from 13 to 15 January 2008.
"The parliamentary and presidential elections in 2007
confirmed the stability of Turkish democracy and
resulted in a more pluralistic and representative
Parliament with an increased participation of women
and MPs from the South-East of Turkey," said the
President. "However, discussions must continue on
lowering the ten per cent threshold for the
Parliament, which remains the highest in Europe."
"The democratic reforms must be stabilised and
strengthened by corresponding constitutional and
legislative measures, as called for by the Assembly
upon the closing of the monitoring procedure in 2004."
"These measures must, among others, strengthen the
guarantees of the freedom of expression and religion,
the independence of justice, the fight against
corruption and establish an effective Ombudsman's
office."
In this connection, Mr van der Linden urged the
Turkish authorities to change Article 301 of the
Criminal Code to bring it into conformity with Council
of Europe standards. "I was encouraged by the
commitment of the President of Turkey to make progress
on this issue, as he also declared in his speech
before the Assembly in Strasbourg in October 2007,"
said Mr van der Linden.
The continuation of the reform process is the best way
to achieve progress in accession negotiations with the
EU, he continued. "If Turkey fulfils its democratic
commitments, the EU must also keep its promises as
regards Turkish membership in the EU." The PACE
President invited Turkey to fully use the potential of
the Council of Europe and its instruments, including
the expertise of the Venice Commission.
"As a democratic Muslim country, Turkey plays an
indispensable role in promoting inter-religious and
intercultural dialogue. This has been demonstrated by
the joint initiative of the Prime Ministers of Turkey
and Spain on an 'Alliance of Civilisations', now
holding its first Forum in Madrid. The Council of
Europe and its Assembly, bringing together
representatives from different cultures and religions,
is a natural partner in this Alliance."
Finally, the PACE President stressed the Assembly's
potential for contributing to a solution of the Cyprus
issue. He cited the historic meeting of religious
leaders from both communities, held under his auspices
in February 2007, as well as the fact that the
Assembly is the only European institution to associate
elected representatives of the Turkish Cypriot
community in its work, as concrete examples of the
Assembly's contribution so far.
"I chose Turkey for my last official visit as PACE
President to underline the importance of this country
for the future of Europe. Turkey will play an
increasing role, both in economic and geopolitical
terms, and it is in the interest of all to have Turkey
as a partner committed to European values," concluded
Mr van der Linden.
During the visit, Mr van der Linden met in Ankara with
the President of the Republic, Abdullah Gül, the
President of the Grand National Assembly, Köksal
Toptan, the State Minister for Economic Affairs,
Mehmet Simsek, the Chair of the EU Harmonisation
Committee, Yasar Yakis and the Chair of the Foreign
Affairs Committee, Murat Mercan. In Konya, he met the
Governor and the Mayor.