ISTANBUL - Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said on Thursday that his participation in the European Conference of Presidents of Parliaments in Strasbourg was very beneficial to stress importance Turkey attached to the Council of Europe (COE) and to explain Turkey's efforts on the road to European Union (EU) membership.
Arinc, who returned from Strasbourg, told reporters that three sittings on ''how democratic is our democracy?'', ''modern technology and democratic procedures'' and ''Co-operation for more democracy - National Parliaments and European Assemblies'' were held in the conference.
He delivered a speech on ''how democratic is our democracy'', Arinc stated.
Arinc said that he held bilateral meetings with his Greek, Georgian, Russian and Armenian counterparts in Strasbourg.
He also met with Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (COEPA) President Peter Schieder, Arinc noted.
Arinc said that he also visited the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Arinc stated.
Arinc pointed out that he received information from ECHR Vice President about functioning of the court and the ECHR Vice President welcomed Turkey's progress in human rights.
Arinc, who went to Strasbourg on Monday, attended on the same day the meeting of Athens Working Group which was formed by parliament speakers of European Union (EU) member and candidate countries. The theme of the parliamentary summit was ''Europe of citizens: parliaments and participation of citizens''.
Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, who delivered a speech in the conference on Tuesday, said that ruling parties should always remember that they were representatives not only of majority that they represented, but also representatives of whole nation.
(BRC) 20.05.2004