HISTORIC DECREE REGARDING MINORITY FOUNDATIONS

Minister for European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis sent a letter to the European Commission, Council of Europe and other addressees and Parliamentarians in the EU, and mentioned the amendment of Law No 5737 on Foundations which aims to solve the issue regarding the immovable properties of minority foundations.

In his statement Bagis said the following:

"An historical step has been taken by the Turkish Government through the Decree which entered into force on 27 August, 2011. By the amendment of Law No 5737 on Foundations, a long lasting issue will be resolved regarding the immovable properties of minority foundations.

Immovable properties, cemeteries and fountains that were claimed in the 1936 proclamation by community foundations but had not been registered to foundations will be returned to their rightful owners, provided that an application is made within 12 months. Besides, the market value of those immovable properties of the foundations that have been registered to the Treasury and the Directorate General of Foundations due to various legal restrictions and sold to third parties will be paid to community foundations.

This historical decision has been taken just prior to an iftar dinner that has been organised by 161 community foundations in the honour of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on 28 August, 2011. It is the first time in the history of the Republic where such a gathering has been organized jointly by all minority communities with the participation of the Prime Minister. The community leaders attending the dinner prasied the recent decision as a revolutionary step that will remedy the grievances suffered for decades. It is also noteworthy that all community representatives expressed their pleasure for our Government's reforms in attaining a democracy with higher standards.

This recent measure taken by the Turkish government at a time when the accession negotiations with the European Union have approached to a halt indicates Turkey's determination to improve democracy and extend rights and freedoms for all citizens of this country regardless of their faith and ethnicity. It is time for the EU and member states to question the status quo in the accession process of Turkey. We also hope that Turkey's determination to embrace all of its citizens would be an example for some member states that are still reluctant in providing fundamental rights and freedoms for their own Turkish minorities.

With bold reforms carried out in the last nine years by our Government, a new Turkey is emerging; a more democratic, transparent, prosperous and reputable Turkey. As Prime Minister Erdoğan said during the dinner, each and every citizen is an essential part of this country. We are determined to take further steps for the improvement of democracy regardless of the situation of the EU accession process. We are determined to take the right steps for the sake of those 74 million citizens."