GUL: "STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY HELPS OUR FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM"
Turkish Press
Star
Nov 28 2007
Speaking at press conference yesterday at the Turkish Embassy in
Paris, President Abdullah Gul said that Turkey has avoided sacrificing
democracy or freedom in its fight against terrorism and that this
has helped it to isolate terrorists. "Some countries have opted to
restrict rights and freedoms in the name of the fight against terror,
but Turkey has expanded them," said Gul.
"Strengthening democracy in Turkey helps our fight against
terrorism." Before leaving Paris, Gul met with French Prime Minister
Francois Fillon to discuss the fight against terrorism, the Armenian
issue, and Turkey’s European Union membership bid. "I mentioned
Turkey’s offer to set up a joint research commission regarding the
Armenian issue," he said. "Fillon supported our joint commission
idea. It was very fruitful meeting." In an interview with French
daily Le Figaro, Gul said Turkey’s relations with the EU have legal
foundations, adding that negotiations for its membership are well
underway. Gul said a French-proposed "Mediterranean union" project
was no substitute for Turkey’s full EU membership.