BERLIN - Justice Minister and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said on Wednesday, ''we are determined in our EU membership process. Everyone should fulfill their responsibilities in this process.''
Cicek, who is currently in German capital Berlin to attend the Ninth Europe Forum in which EU's enlargement process will be taken up, met with representatives of Turkish associations and non-governmental organizations in Germany.
Speaking at the meeting, Cicek said, ''there are different views in a democratic country. However, these different views should not lead us to hostility. We should act in unity, peace and tolerance. We might made some mistakes in promotion of Turkey in the past. However, we are determined in our EU membership process. Everyone should fulfill their responsibilities in this process.''
He said, ''as representatives of the Turkish government, we are welcomed in Germany and other countries with more respect. All important problems have been ignored in Turkey so far. Now, we inform our jurists on laws of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). In case of violation of rights, our jurists should take decisions also in line with the laws of the ECHR.''
''As the government and the state, the most important issue on our agenda is the EU membership. Therefore, Turkey should well-represent itself in all platforms. All these reforms have been made for prosperity of our people. We want to remove laws restricting fundamental rights and freedoms, and obstacles in front of freedom of expression,'' he said.
Noting that the EU countries appreciated Turkey's efforts to make reforms, Cicek said, ''our government wants to fulfill its commitments. I believe that an atmosphere of peace and unity will be strengthened in our country when we become a member of the EU.''
''2004 will be the year of implementations. When we succeed in putting reforms in practice, Turkey's credibility will increase more. If the EU does not set a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey, we will face some difficulties. The jurisdiction has an important responsibility to this end. We, as the government, want to inform our citizens on the EU membership in order to facilitate works of the jurisdiction. There are still some concerns about Turkey's EU membership. We should rely on ourselves,'' he said.
Upon a question about the ban on Islamic-style headscarf, Cicek said, ''there are two more important issues on agenda of Turkey. First of all, we should increase our exports, production and employment. And the second issue is Turkey's EU membership process. We should concentrate on them.''
When asked whether or not extradition of Metin Kaplan, the leader of the Islamic Community-Denominational Vision, would be brought onto agenda of the scheduled meeting with Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries of Germany, Cicek said that their attitude about the issue did not change.
Meanwhile, Turkish Ambassador to Germany Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik was also in attendance at the meeting.
(UK) 12.11.2003