ANKARA - Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said on Tuesday that Turkey faced ethnic, Marxist-Leninist and fundamentalist terrorism, adding ''terrorism is a crime committed against humanity and it is a new form of war.''
Addressing the opening of the meeting on 'Europe: Young People Think About European Law' with French Justice Minister Dominique Perben, Cicek said that the visit of Perben was very meaningful and important following the recent attacks in Turkey.
Cicek said that Turkey didn't give up democratization despite the terrorism fact, adding that ''Turkey put forward its reforms, democratic steps, democratic standards, and its respect for human rights in such atmosphere with great resolution and courage. Turkey continued its fight with terrorism within the rules of democratic legal state, and it will continue to do so. Being fearful can be the biggest support that can be given to terrorism.''
Cicek said that Turkey attributed importance to judiciary, its independence, and education of members of judiciary like all democratic countries. Noting that Turkey's efforts to abide by EU law continued at an intensified level, Cicek said that it was Turkey's target to reach standards of EU countries and to get full membership status.
Cicek said that judges and prosecutors had the biggest role in implementation of EU acquis.
French Justice Minister Perben expressed the deep sorrow of French government and President Jacques Chirac over the terrorist attacks in Istanbul.
Perben stated that the best response that was given to terrorist attacks was the stance against terrorism, adding that the participation of Turkish and French young judge candidates to the meeting would give them the opportunity to understand each others' views about the future of Europe. Young jurists would have big contributions to the future of Europe, Perben said adding that the issues that would be taken up in the meeting were not yet solved by any country on national basis and that international cooperation was necessary.
(Öª) 09.12.2003