DENIZLI - German deputy of the European Parliament Sisner Sabine said on Monday that the European Union (EU) should grant 'privilege' to Turkey due to its geopolitical position.
A German delegation comprising Sisner Sabine, Denizli's ''sister city'' Betzdorf Mayor Michael Lieber, Municipal Assembly members Horst Nassauer and Anneliese Pirker, a school director, four teachers and twenty-four students came to Denizli province in Aegean province.
Denizli Mayor Ali Aygoren who hosts the delegation said that Denizli was a center of industry, textiles and tourism.
Meanwhile, replying reporters' questions about issues of ''the EU and human rights violations that were frequently brought onto the EU's agenda'', Sabine said that Turkey was a very important partner of the EU, and it should be granted ''privileged member'' status.
Sabine said, ''Turkey should be accepted as a privileged EU member. The EU should officially grant Turkey this status.'' Stressing that issue of human rights was 'universal' to which each country should attribute importance, Sabine said, ''Turkey has recorded very important progress in this field. It has fulfilled a number of responsibilities stemming from the Human Rights Convention. Like other countries, also Turkey has been a EU candidate. Process accelerates if Turkey rapidly fulfils membership conditions.''
Meanwhile, Betzdorf Mayor Michael Lieber said that there was not a 'systematic torture' in Turkey.
Lieber said, ''human rights violations happen not only in Turkey but also in every country. So the EU should treat Turkey equally. I believe that Turkey would join the EU in next ten years. Also local administrations will make a big contribution to it.''
(MS-AY) 26.05.2003