Strasbourg, 14/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the report by Dutch Christian Democrat Arie Oostlander who welcomes progress made since October 2001 by Turkey to meet political criteria with a view to joining the European Union, but calls for complete reform of the State mainly to ensure control of the armed forces by civil powers. The report considers it will be necessary to abolish the National Security Council, in its current role and position and that the military representatives should leave civil bodies such as the High Council for education and that for audiovisual matters. The parliamentary committee welcomes the intention expressed by Turkey's Prime Minister, Mr Erdogan, to draft a new Constitution, and stresses that the latter should comply with universal values of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights and the freedom of religion and opinion. Turkey must respect the languages and the religion of minorities and, above all, create a serene and constructive relationship with its citizens of Kurdish origin, MEPs say. They also appealed for the release of Leyla Zana and other former DEP parliamentarians. The report will be submitted to the plenary during a forthcoming session.
Furthermore, speaking before the Parliament meeting in plenary session on Tuesday evening in Strasbourg, Commissioner Günter Verheugen again insisted on effective application of reforms recently adopted by Turkey. While acknowledging that the Turkish Justice Minister deplored such police action, the Commissioner regretted the recent intervention of the forces of order on the premises of the Human Rights League in Ankara. Mr Verheugen pointed out he would be meeting Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah Gül on Thursday in Brussels.