"TODAY'S TURKEY IS MORE DEMOCRATIC, STABLE AND PROSPEROUS"

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis stated that Turkey of the present time was more democratic, stable, prosperous, honourable and freer than Turkey ten years before. He also said that within the framework of the EU process, fundamental reforms had been started in many fields, including the human rights.

In his written statement for the 10th of December, Human Rights Day, Bagis declared that it was more meaningful to celebrate the Human Rights Day, thanks to the political reforms made in the European Union process progressing under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Bagis recalled the statement in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "Recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world." Bagis also said that as the Republic of Turkey founded by the great leader Ataturk had its basis in the universal values; the EU process which was the most important modernisation project since the foundation of the Turkish Republic, aimed to reach the highest level in the fields of democracy, freedoms, human rights and rule of law, as deserved by the Turkish citizens.

Bagis reminded that it had been 10 years since the recognition of Turkey as an EU candidate country. Bagis also stated:

"Today's Turkey is more democratic, stable, prosperous, honourable and freer than Turkey in 1999. During this time, Turkey passed through a process of transformation. In line with the acceleration of the accession process to the EU, Turkey realized many fundamental reforms, particularly the Copenhagen political criteria.

Bagis declared that main laws had been amended so as to ensure a higher level of assurance against torture; to improve freedoms of expression and press; to promote freedoms of association, assembly and demonstration; to advance cultural rights; and to improve gender equality. Bagis also said that from that time forth, they could claim to have a free and transparent discussion atmosphere in Turkey.

Bagis stated that previous Progress Reports had referred to human rights infringements; examples of torture; intellectuals, writers, and politicians taken into custody or arrested. He also said: "Only ten years ago, a mayor was arrested just because he had read a poem. That mayor who was deprived of his freedom at that time is now the Prime Minister of Turkey and the city of that mayor is Istanbul, which is now the 2010 European Capital of Culture".

Bagis declared that they would continue to work for a Turkey where human rights were the determining value, and permanent peace atmosphere was ensured.

Source: AA