ISTANBUL - Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said on Wednesday that bans and restrictions were in fact threats against the regime.
Speaking in a ceremony held as about 200 people joined the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), including members of Jewish and Armenian societies in Istanbul, Sahin noted that the government tried to comply with the democratic standards of the civilized world.
Therefore, Sahin said, the government made many new arrangements to meet Copenhagen criteria.
Sahin said, ''we know problems that foundations of societies are facing for years. Every citizen of Turkish Republic is a first class citizen. Nobody can make any discrimination among Turkish citizens whatever their religion, race or culture are.''
They had made some changes related with foundations as a part of European Union (EU) adjustment laws, Sahin stated.
But, Sahin noted, there were still some problems in implementation of new laws.
Sahin said, ''why should there be a difference between foundations formed by citizens who believe in Islam and citizens who believe in other religions? Why shouldn't they be subject to the same regulation? Naturally, they should be subject to the same regulation.''
Legal works and arrangements on foundations still continued, Sahin pointed out.
Sahin stressed that Turkish citizens living abroad could freely perform their religious duties and noted that it should be the same for Turkish citizens of foreign origin.
''We want full democracy, freedom of belief and worship in Turkey. And, we are exerting efforts to prevent our citizens from facing any problems. We don't think that this will weaken democracy or threaten the regime. Because, bans and restrictions are in fact threats against the regime. If citizens of this country say how fair the state is and how freely they can perform their religious duties, then, this will strengthen the regime and democracy,'' Sahin added.
The law on amendment to several laws which is publicly known as the seventh EU adjustment package also includes arrangements regarding foundations.
The bill amends additional third article of the decree with the force of law on establishment and duties of the Directorate General of Foundations.
In accordance with this amendment, foundations formed in Turkey can be a member of foundations and organizations formed outside Turkey under the permission of the Interior Ministry and positive opinion of the Foreign Ministry in case cooperation of the foundations are considered beneficial.
Foundations formed in foreign countries can hold activities, open branches and cooperate with some other foundations in Turkey with the consent of the Interior Ministry and opinion of the Foreign Ministry.
(BRC) 24.03.2004