NAPLES - Turkish State Minister Mehmet Aydin expressed concern on Saturday that the security measures taken by western countries after the September 11th terrorist attacks (in the United States) could harm democracy.
In an exclusive interview with the A.A, Aydin, who is in Naples, Italy to attend the meeting of Special Mediterranean Group of NATO Parliamentary Assembly, said, ''generally speaking, I don't think there is Anti-Christianity and Anti-Semitism in Turkey. There may be individual incidents, but there is not such discrimination in our culture.''
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN TURKEY
Recalling that religious freedom in Turkey had been confirmed by official reports of western countries, Aydin said that there were some deficiencies in the draft law on foundations, but the draft had been amended to eliminate these deficiencies.
Aydin stated that this draft law would be enacted after the parliament re-opened in October, and drew attention that leaders of religious groups in Turkey had stated that they had no problems regarding religious freedom and freedom of worship.
Noting that no religious group should try to use Turkey's European Union (EU) membership bid as a means to gain a privileged position, Aydin said, ''some circles try to gain whatever they can in this process (Turkey's EU accession process). This is not fair. There is the Lausanne Treaty which envisages the status of non-Muslim citizens. You cannot grant any special status to any religious movement.''
HEYBELIADA SEMINARY
Referring to the Fener Greek Orthodox Partriarchate's demand to open the seminary in Heybeliada, Istanbul, Aydin said that Turkey had no objection to this demand in principle.
''But, what kind of a school will it be? Will it be bound to a university or will it be individual? Will it be under the control and supervision of National Education Ministry if it is individual? Or will it be a faculty? Or will it be a foundation university,'' asked Aydin.
Aydin added, ''all these were discussed in Turkey. What should be done is to meet this demand in line with the rules in Turkey.''