Strasbourg, 24/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe decided on 22 June during its plenary session in Strasbourg to close the follow-up procedure monitoring Turkey's respect of commitments taken. In a resolution adopted by 141 votes to 8, the Assembly notes that this country has in just two years carried out more reforms than in the previous ten years. Although it considers that Turkey is no longer one of the Member States that do not fulfil their statutory obligations as far as respect of democratic principles, human rights and rule of law go, the Assembly nonetheless suggests improvements on twelve points, which range from progress on the protection of minorities to the creation of an ombudsman, including a better policy for combating illiteracy and all forms of violence against women.
"This decision shows we are confident that Turkish authorities will move forward along this road. It also shows we have trust in Turkey itself", the rapporteur, Luxembourg Socialist Mady Delvaux-Stehres, said.