LETTER FROM MINISTER BAGIS TO WSJ

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis responded to the article "Voting put Turkey's Prime Minister against Industrialists" published in Wall Street Journal on August 19, 2010.

Indicating in his letter that the constitutional amendment package was a much-required step to extend individual rights and freedoms in Turkey, Bagis pointed out that it would liberate Turkey from the restrictions brought by a constitution that had been created in the aftermath of a military coup in 1980.

The letter titled "Constitutional Amendment is in favour of Turkey" includes the following statements:

"The package brings positive discrimination for women, children and the handicapped; provides individuals with the right to request the protection of their personal data; extends the labour rights of workers; establishes the Ombudsman institution and limits the jurisdiction of the military courts. In addition, it grants the right of individual applications to the Constitutional Court ensures both the Constitutional Court and Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors to have a broad based structure representing different segments of the society and enables the Parliament to elect the members of the Constitutional Court.

The package does not aim to control the judiciary; nor does it intend to crush any opposition. On the contrary, it aims to strengthen the democratic system with the necessary checks and balances, and to create a liberal environment by extending individual rights and freedoms."

In the letter Bagis stated that Greece, Spain and Portugal; all had become members of the EC in the 1980s, following their liberation from dictatorships, by amending their constitutions inherited from the military regimes and now it is Turkey's turn to do the right thing and to become a member of the EU.

Source: AA