STRASBOURG - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that their government was determined to continue reforms.
Addressing the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (COEPA), Gul said that the Council of Europe (COE) was the school of democracy and human right.
Gul noted that the COE had a significant contribution to his political philosophy and said, ''Council of Europe is the biggest advocate of democracy, human rights and principles of state of law.''
Prime Minister Gul explained new decisions of the government about maltreatment and human rights violations.
Gul said, ''we will make Turkish democracy perfect. We will mak Turkey a country which totally works democratically.''
Reminding that the parliament adopted the law which foresaw Turkey to abide by decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Gul said, ''death sentence was abolished.''
Gul stated that Turkey signed the convention on abolition of death sentence and that the convention would be ratified by the parliament in the possible shortest time.
Prime Minister Gul explained reforms related with the amendment to law on State Security Courts (DGMs).
Noting that Iraq had to comply with the United Nations (U.N.) resolutions, Gul stressed that they were determined to find a fair and permanent solution to Cyprus issue.
Gul said that Turkish Cypriots supported a peaceful solution of Cyprus issue and later informed the COEPA about the summit held in Istanbul on Thursday in order to find a peaceful solution to Iraqi issue.
GUL: THEY SINCERELY WANT SOLUTION OF CYPRUS ISSUE
Gul said that they were sincere about solution of Cyprus issue and that they supported efforts aiming at a solution.
Upon another question, Gul said that both the ruling and the opposition were willing to pass the reform package related with the European Union (EU) membership process.
Gul stressed that they would do their best to make constitutional amendments.
Turkey was very important for transfer of EU norms to Middle East and for settlement of permanent peace, Gul also emphasized.
Responding to a question about role of soldiers in politics related with Copenhagen criteria, Gul said that the EU would issue the report on the progress made by Turkey in 2003 and noted, ''we will do our best to get a good report.'' He added that Turkey would continue its efforts on the road to EU membership.
Pointing out that Turkey was the only secular and Muslim country, Gul said, ''we are a Muslim country and we are an EU candidate. We are an example to modern world with such an identity and this is very important.''
Upon a question on a possible U.S. operation against Iraq, Gul said, ''I think that we can avoid a war. There is still time. Firstly, we have to exert efforts for a peace. A war will be very bad. Iraq is a small Middle Eastern country. There are different people in Iraq. There are Kurds, Sunnis, Alawites in Iraq. A war on Iraq will have many bad results, particularly economic results. Arab nationalism can be strengthened in the event of a war. Iraq can turn into Lebanon. The issue has also humanitarian dimension. There can be a wave of migration in Turkey after a war. We don't want to experience all these again. We will continue our efforts against war and violence.''
Gul said that international legitimacy of the report of United Nations (U.N.) weapons inspectors was very important and noted that a second U.N. resolution was necessary.
Upon another question, Gul said that talks continued in Cyprus and that in their opinion, insolubility was not a solution.
Gul said, ''if a solution does not satisfy both of the sides, peace cannot be permanent for both of the sides.''
Responding to a question on ''Louizidou case'', Gul said that they were trying to solve Cyprus issue and if it was solved, all other problems would be solved.
Upon a question about former deputy Leyla Zana who was in prison, Gul said that necessary arrangements regarding retrial of Zana was made at the parliament the previous week and noted, ''she can file a lawsuit again.''
Responding to a question about Southeastern Anatolia Region, Gul said, ''there is not any discrimination in Turkey. Nobody should ignore terrorist activities. Emergency rule was lifted in the region.''
GUL: WE WILL ACQUIRE A LOT FROM EU MEMBERSHIP, BUT EU WILL ALSO GAIN A LOT FROM TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP TO EU
When asked whether the government thought of changing election system, Gul said, ''we did not prepare a law on election. This law was made to prevent us. Our works for amending Political Parties and Election Law continue. We can form a better election system by cooperating with the opposition party.''
When a reporter said, ''Turkey has good relations both with Israel and Palestine in the Middle East. Do you have any initiative to settle peace between the two countries,'' Gul said, ''yes, it may be.''
Upon a question on so-called Armenian genocide, Gul drew attention to Armenia's occupation of Upper Karabakh and said that Yerevan administration should review its relations with neighboring countries.