OLLI REHN CALLS ON TURKEY TO ESTABLISH NEIGHBOR RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.09.2006 15:02 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During the discussions of the report on Turkey EU
Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn made the following statement:
"Freedom of expression is indeed a fundamental human right on which
any open society is based, and a foundation for modernization, social
progress and solving conflicts between various social groups.
An open and constructive exchange of views is needed in Turkey,
including the most sensitive issues. This is necessary both for the
democratic process in Turkey and for facing tomorrow’s challenges,
as well as for Turkey’s reconciliation with its neighbors, including
Armenia. Reconciliation is a principle that is both the origin and
the outcome of the European integration project. I therefore urge
Turkey to continue to take concrete steps in this direction.
Freedom of religion is another area where tangible progress is
needed. The Law on Foundations, which is currently debated in the
Turkish Grand National Assembly, should address the shortcomings.
Restrictions applied to non-Muslim religious groups on property rights,
management of foundations and training of the clergy must be lifted,"
reports abhaber.com.