ANKARA
President of the European Parliament (EP) Martin Schulz on Monday said "it is no secret that Turkey's EU membership would take a very long time and would be a difficult one. Turkey needs crucial reforms on way to EU membership".
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Inter-parliamentary Exchange and Dialogue Project at the Turkish Parliament, Schulz began his words by condemning the terror attack which took place in Kayseri on Friday.
I would like to express that the European Union (EU) stands by Turkey in counter-terrorism. No one can support such violence that does not differentiate among individuals, Schulz pointed out.
The Inter-parliamentary Exchange and Dialogue Project will give us a chance to eradicate pre-conceived notions in Turkey and the EU. The project will make it possible for those looking at Turkey with doubts to get to know the country better, Schulz stated.
Turkey's transition from autocracy to democracy and strengthening this democracy resembles the stories of many countries (in the EU). The project will enable European parliamentarians to learn the processes in Turkey, Schulz noted.
Membership in the EU does not imply losing a country's identity. In fact, on the contrary, Turkey's membership would mean contribution to a common Europe. The dialogue between Turkey and the EU will support the "Positive Agenda" process between the two entities, Schulz underlined.
Turkey's membership process is in a period of deadlock due to chapters frozen based on political reasons. It is no secret that Turkey's EU membership would take a very long time and would be a difficult one. Turkey needs crucial reforms on way to EU membership, Schulz stated.
Constitutional changes and implementing the new laws are important
Pointing out the importance of making constitutional changes and implementing the new laws in the EU process, Schulz said that the center of constitutional changes had to be the parliament itself.
The center of any democratic legitimacy is the parliament. It is a center elected by the people to represent their interests. As such, the natural platform for the discussion of constitutional changes is the parliament. What needs to be done here shoud not be dictated by the government. I congratulate Mr. Cemil Cicek for the works of the Constitutional Compromise Committee, Schulz said.
Minorities and formerly alienated segments of the society must be included in the constitution making process. We have no doubt that Turkey would maintain its judicial system and the civil authority over military authority and would fight against terror crimes in such a way and would provide equal protection to religious and ethnic minorities, Schulz indicated.
Stressing Turkey's support to EU's common foreign policy and security issues, Schulz thanked Turkey for its approach to Syria.
Speaking on behalf of Turkey's EU Minister Egemen Bagis who could not attend the ceremony due to his plane's delay, the Undersecretary of Turkey's EU Ministry Haluk Ilicak said that all pre-conceived notions could be eradicated by dialogue and understanding each other better.
Touching on the deadlock in Turkey's EU process, Ilicak said that the "Positive Agenda" was intended to get over the deadlock but was not an alternative to negotiations.
The EU needs to keep Turkish citizens exempt from visa requirements. The Turkish side is receiving an unfair treatment over Cyprus, Ilicak also said.
