Governing AKP Seeks Support From Opposition CHP For The Passing Of The New Penal Code At The Turkish Parliament

ANKARA (CIHAN) - The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has demanded support from the opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP) for the passing of a new Penal Code at the Turkish Parliament before October when the regular progress report of the European Commission on Turkey is due to be released.
The new Penal Code has been prepared by Turkey`s leading jurists. Turkey`s two leading parties had come to a compromise on the new Penal Code at a justice sub-committee meeting at the Turkish Parliament previously. However, the ruling Justice and Development Party then decided to change some articles of the new Penal Code. Yesterday a delegation from the AKP including Minister of Justice Cemil Çiçek, the Chairman of the parliamentary justice sub-committee and AKP member Köksal Toptan and Deputy Chairman of the AKP Parliamentary Group Salih Kapusuz paid a visit to the Chairman of Republican People`s Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal to discuss the proposed changes.
The ruling AKP has called an emergency meeting of the Turkish Parliament on September 14 for the passing of the new Penal Code at parliament prior to the October publication of the European Commission`s regular progress report on Turkey which is expected to be determining on whether Turkey is given a date for the start of accession talks to the European Union.
Minister of Justice Çiçek and CHP Chairman Baykal held a press conference after a one-hour meeting. Cemil Çiçek said that previous law amendments and EU harmonization laws had been made after compromise had been reached by the political parties. Çiçek stated that the Penal Code was as important as the Constitution and that the ruling AKP was determined to have the law passed through reaching comprising with the other political parties. Çiçek added that the Turkish Parliament had been called to hold an emergency meeting on September 14 and that the ruling AKP was determined to pass the new Penal Code before October.
CHP Chairman Baykal demanded the delivery of the articles to be changed to the CHP before negotiations on September 14. Justice Minister Cemil Çiçek responded positively to this demand.