Gul: No One Has The Right To Tell Us That Turkey Has Not Fulfilled Copenhagen Political Criteria

ANKARA - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday, ''no one has the right to tell us that Turkey has not fulfilled Copenhagen political criteria, the first condition of the European Union (EU) accession process.''
Speaking at a ceremony organized by Ankara Governor's Office to mark the World Human Rights Day, Prime Minister Gul said, ''like many other countries, Turkey signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 54 years ago. Human rights are not about domestic affairs of the countries. In a world in which borders have been losing their meaning, no one has the right to say that developments in a country do not concern the others. Human rights violations in the world and the developments in Europe concern everyone.''
''Every individual in the world should be granted the fundamental rights. There are universal rules and principles. If you want to become a part of the international community to have a distinguished place, you should abide by these international rules and principles. Turkey has made a number of reforms to this end. Turkey is a democratic country. We have been working on a new reform package in order to remove our deficiencies,'' he said.
Prime Minister Gul continued, ''the reform package approved by the former government, had had a very positive impact. Our government has prepared reform packages as soon as it came into power. First of these reform packages includes 32 articles.''
Gul said that Turkey suffered from terrorism in the last 10-15 years and that some human rights reforms were delayed due to terrorism and the problems it caused.
''But, our path is open now. So, we will altogether do what is necessary,'' Gul noted.
Gul stated that the government was very determined about this issue and included this issue in its program.
Noting that the reform packages were presented to parliament on the days which were related with European Union (EU) enlargement process, Gul said that EU's future would be set by decisions to be made in Copenhagen.
Gul pointed out that Turkey's goal was to join the EU and the government had a conditional stance to join the EU.
''First of all, we have to believe in the obligation to fulfil rules and conditions of this club. To this end, we have undertaken our obligations before anybody says anything. Since today, nobody has the right to say 'you have not fulfilled' Copenhagen political criteria, the first condition for EU accession process. We have achieved all these because Turkish people deserve them, not to join the EU. These are delayed things. But, unfortunately, some of these reforms were delayed due to conditions brought by terrorism. These reforms are necessary because Turkish people deserve a humanly living and because they have to take their place in the national society. But, they have to be taken seriously since they are brought onto the agenda during the EU enlargement process. The further decision will be made by EU leaders,'' Gul said.
Gul added, ''if they are thinking of a narrower Europe with a less strategic importance, they can take their decision in that direction. But, if they long for an EU which is richer and which aims to play a more strategic role in world affairs, they have to see that Turkey's accession will add many things to the EU. This is a bilateral benefit. Of course, Turkey and the EU will gain.''
Everybody knew that many of 10 EU candidate countries were behind Turkey when Copenhagen criteria were in question, Gul said.
Gul noted that EU's decision would be a final decision which would affect the future.
Stating that Turkey was a big country, Gul said that Turkey was a country where people of different cultures and religions co-existed in tolerance.
Gul added, ''Turkey's and Turkish people's path is open. We are all looking at the future with hope and I believe that future days will be brighter for not only human rights and economy but also for Turkey's honor.''