BERLIN - Justice Minister Cemil Cicek stressed on Friday that the most important project which would help Turkey, a bridge between Asia and Europe, reach its targets was European Union (EU) full membership.
Turkey's Counselor to Germany Adnan Basaga read the speech of Cicek, who could not attend the meeting held by the Southeast Europe Association in Germany due to demise of his brother.
The meeting focused on Turkey's EU membership.
In his speech, Cicek said that Turkey's wish to integrate with the EU was a social transformation project which affected today and future of every Turkish citizen.
Cicek noted that EU membership was a national target supported by majority of Turkish people.
Human rights did not only concern domestic laws of countries but also was taken up in international arena in days when the world was globalizing, Cicek stated.
Cicek said, ''therefore, all countries have national and international obligations to respect to human rights and prevail principle of state of law in line with international standards. And, we have made many reforms in our country, taking this obligation into consideration.''
Detailing legal reforms in Turkey, Cicek touched on many changes from detention period to changes made related with torture and maltreatment.
Cicek stated that Turkey had launched initiatives to adjust prison conditions with the conditions listed by the Council of Europe (COE).
Besides freedom and security of a person, freedom of thought had become the focal point of human rights, Cicek pointed out.
Cicek said that Turkey facilitated teaching of different languages and dialects used in daily life by Turkish citizens and reduced limitations in establishment of associations and societies.
Noting that Turkey amended the law on foundations, Cicek said that Turkey made closure of a political party more difficult.
Cicek stated that State Security Courts (DGMs) were made civilian and pointed out that legal procedures were facilitated with the National Jurisdiction Network Project.
Turkey was determined and sincere in adjustment with EU criteria and norms, Cicek stressed.
Cicek said, ''guarantees for personal rights and freedoms were increased in Turkey in a very short time. Especially, freedom of thought and expression was broadened and arrangements increasing women-men equality were made.''
Stating that legal ground for EU adjustment was almost laid, Cicek said that Turkey had undertaken the role of a bridge between the East and the West for many years.
Cicek noted that Turkey was ''the shield of free world order'' during the Cold War era.
Turkey wanted to live in peace at home and in the world, improve its relations with all world countries sharing similar goals, and take its place in a multipolar world, Cicek stated.
''Whatever the decision on Turkey's EU membership will be, nobody should expect a result in which one side loses and the other wins. Both of the sides will lose or gain together,'' Cicek noted.
Cicek said that Turkey had determinedly kept all its promises so far, adding that to that end, Turkey hoped to be politically and strongly supported.
(BRC) 12.03.2004