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Zaman Online, Turkey
June 4 2005
Babacan: Look with the Eyes of Public
By Ercan Baysal
Published: Saturday 04, 2005
zaman.com
Discussion over Quranic study courses occurred in an association
advisory council meeting for The Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen
Association (TUSIAD) Friday, June 3.
TUSIAD President Omer Sabanci claimed that tolerating the illegal
courses will fuel rumors in Europe that Turkish secularism is
weakening.
TUSIAD Representatives criticized the government fiercely regarding the
EU process in the Istanbul meeting . Sabanci opposed the restriction
of freedoms in the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK), police brutality in
demonstrations, and harassing academics who discussed the Armenian
Issue. TUSIAD, as a business association, does not accept any
alternative but full EU membership.
Newly appointed Top Negotiator for European Union (EU) talks State
Minister Ali Babacan replied to critisizms in his speech. He said
Turkey in 10-20 years will be a country closer to the union than ever
and a country that cleaned its whole system from A to Z. Turkey has
become a stable country in terms of economics and politicals. The
recent economic success, Babacan claimed, is due to Turkey's focus
on the EU. The country achieved the reforms set by the Copenhagen
Political Criteria of December 17, and completed the critical political
reforms, Babacan emphasized. Reform will continue and three out of
four of the talks to start on October 3 will be about economic issues.
As for the criticizm on Quranic study courses, the Minister said
the sensitivities of the public should definitely be taken into
consideration. "We are a government that has come from the people. We
know the difficulties and problems of Turkey very well. We know what
our people are uncomfortable with. We have grown up with a lack
of human rights and freedom in many areas. For this reason while
evaluating some issues we should not look at the issue only from our
point of view, we have to learn to evaluate them with the eyes of
the public."
June 4 2005
Babacan: Look with the Eyes of Public
By Ercan Baysal
Published: Saturday 04, 2005
zaman.com
Discussion over Quranic study courses occurred in an association
advisory council meeting for The Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen
Association (TUSIAD) Friday, June 3.
TUSIAD President Omer Sabanci claimed that tolerating the illegal
courses will fuel rumors in Europe that Turkish secularism is
weakening.
TUSIAD Representatives criticized the government fiercely regarding the
EU process in the Istanbul meeting . Sabanci opposed the restriction
of freedoms in the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK), police brutality in
demonstrations, and harassing academics who discussed the Armenian
Issue. TUSIAD, as a business association, does not accept any
alternative but full EU membership.
Newly appointed Top Negotiator for European Union (EU) talks State
Minister Ali Babacan replied to critisizms in his speech. He said
Turkey in 10-20 years will be a country closer to the union than ever
and a country that cleaned its whole system from A to Z. Turkey has
become a stable country in terms of economics and politicals. The
recent economic success, Babacan claimed, is due to Turkey's focus
on the EU. The country achieved the reforms set by the Copenhagen
Political Criteria of December 17, and completed the critical political
reforms, Babacan emphasized. Reform will continue and three out of
four of the talks to start on October 3 will be about economic issues.
As for the criticizm on Quranic study courses, the Minister said
the sensitivities of the public should definitely be taken into
consideration. "We are a government that has come from the people. We
know the difficulties and problems of Turkey very well. We know what
our people are uncomfortable with. We have grown up with a lack
of human rights and freedom in many areas. For this reason while
evaluating some issues we should not look at the issue only from our
point of view, we have to learn to evaluate them with the eyes of
the public."