PACE PRESIDENT VISITS ANKARA
Democratic progress must be strengthened by constitutional and legislative reforms, declares PACE President in Ankara.
Strasbourg, 15.01.2008 - "I praise the strong commitment of the Turkish authorities to continuing democratic reforms," declared René van der Linden, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), at the end of his official visit to Turkey (Ankara and Konya) from 13 to 15 January 2008.
"The parliamentary and presidential elections in 2007 confirmed the stability of Turkish democracy and resulted in a more pluralistic and representative Parliament with an increased participation of women and MPs from the South-East of Turkey," said the President. "However, discussions must continue on lowering the ten per cent threshold for the Parliament, which remains the highest in Europe."
"The democratic reforms must be stabilised and strengthened by corresponding constitutional and legislative measures, as called for by the Assembly upon the closing of the monitoring procedure in 2004."
"These measures must, among others, strengthen the guarantees of the freedom of expression and religion, the independence of justice, the fight against corruption and establish an effective Ombudsman's office."
In this connection, Mr van der Linden urged the Turkish authorities to change Article 301 of the Criminal Code to bring it into conformity with Council of Europe standards. "I was encouraged by the commitment of the President of Turkey to make progress on this issue, as he also declared in his speech before the Assembly in Strasbourg in October 2007," said Mr van der Linden.
The continuation of the reform process is the best way to achieve progress in accession negotiations with the EU, he continued. "If Turkey fulfils its democratic commitments, the EU must also keep its promises as regards Turkish membership in the EU." The PACE President invited Turkey to fully use the potential of the Council of Europe and its instruments, including the expertise of the Venice Commission.
"As a democratic Muslim country, Turkey plays an indispensable role in promoting inter-religious and intercultural dialogue. This has been demonstrated by the joint initiative of the Prime Ministers of Turkey and Spain on an 'Alliance of Civilisations', now holding its first Forum in Madrid. The Council of Europe and its Assembly, bringing together representatives from different cultures and religions, is a natural partner in this Alliance."
Finally, the PACE President stressed the Assembly's potential for contributing to a solution of the Cyprus issue. He cited the historic meeting of religious leaders from both communities, held under his auspices in February 2007, as well as the fact that the Assembly is the only European institution to associate elected representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community in its work, as concrete examples of the Assembly's contribution so far.
"I chose Turkey for my last official visit as PACE President to underline the importance of this country for the future of Europe. Turkey will play an increasing role, both in economic and geopolitical terms, and it is in the interest of all to have Turkey as a partner committed to European values," concluded Mr van der Linden.
During the visit, Mr van der Linden met in Ankara with the President of the Republic, Abdullah Gül, the President of the Grand National Assembly, Köksal Toptan, the State Minister for Economic Affairs, Mehmet Simsek, the Chair of the EU Harmonisation Committee, Yasar Yakis and the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Murat Mercan. In Konya, he met the Governor and the Mayor.
THEY ANTICIPATE GOOD RESULTS
The Armenian National Hockey Team has left for Belgrade, Serbia, to participate in the world meetings of the 3-rd group.
“We anticipate good results”, said Karen Khachatryan, chairman of the Armenian ...ANIMALS DIE OF COLD
Although Gyumri branch of the State Museum of Nature is gasificated, it has not been heated since the day if its foundation. Some animals live in the employees’ or the director’s houses during the winter ...APPOINTED
Seyran Petrosyan was appointed member of the RA State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition by Robert Kocharyan’s 14 January decree.
Manvel Badalyan was appointed chairman of the Civil ...HE RECEIVED CO-CHAIRMEN
Today Robert Kocharyan received the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen Yury Merzlyakov (Russia), Matthew Bryza (USA), Bernard Fassier (France) and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, ...“RAMKAVAR-AZATAKAN” WILL HOLD TWO SESSIONS
Although last year “Block” and “National Renaissance” parties announced about their reformations and joining the “Ramkavar-Azatakan” (Liberal-Democratic Party of Armenia), both parties legally function. ...RA CITIZENS WILL PARTICIPATE IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
35 days are left until the upcoming presidential elections in Armenia and the majority of the RA citizens have decided who they will support during the elections. “A1+” tied to find out pre-election ...THEY LEFT FOR STEPANAKERT
Today the RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan received the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen Yury Merzlyakov (Russia), Matthew Bryza (USA), Bernard Fassier (France) and the Personal Representative of the OSCE ...ANOTHER MISTAKE ASCRIBED TO TER-PETROSYAN
Although the leaders of the “Armenian Volunteers’ Unity” public initiative Zhirayr Sefilyan and Vardan Malkhasyan are imprisoned, they are actively engaged in the political processes in Armenia. Today, ...HRANT KHACHATRYAN WAS TAKEN TO POLICE DEPARTMENT
more images
Hrant Khachatryan, Head of the “Constitutional Right Union” Party is taken to the Central Police Department. The reason is the same - Mr Khachatrayn again slapped Hayk Babukhanyan in ...CHARITY AFTER ELECTIONS
The official campaign of the presidential elections will be launched on 21 January. “A1+” tried to find out what preparatory works some presidential candidates were carrying out. Susanna Abrahamyam, ...BRYZA’S FEELING
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairman Matthew Bryza (USA) hopes that the forthcoming presidential elections in Armenian will have no influence on the Nagorno-Karabakh problem solution.
“In all cases, we ...PACE PRESIDENT VISITS ANKARA
Democratic progress must be strengthened by constitutional and legislative reforms, declares PACE President in Ankara.
Strasbourg, 15.01.2008 - "I praise the strong commitment of the Turkish authorities ...
MANUK GASPARYAN DEAD
FIRST PRESIDENT HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
ARTASHES GEGHAMIAN: "LET US LIVE IN PEACE"
10000 DOLLARS FOR VACCINES
ANOTHER MISTAKE ASCRIBED TO TER-PETROSYAN
LEVON TER-PETROSSIAN FEELS GUILTY OF THE ACTING REGIME
"ARMENIA SHOULD NOT CARRY NEGOTIATIONS WITHOUT NKR"
HEATHEN WEDDING IN GARNI
WILL THEY HOLD A SECOND STAGE?
- 1795 Birth of Alexander Griboyedov, Russian writer, diplomat, and Armenia's friend. He was the first Russian writer, who, based on historical circumstances, became well-informed about the Armenian people.
- 1855 Publication of the "Masseatss Aghavnee" (pigeon of Masis) magazine in Paris. Editor - G. Aivazovski.
- 1903 Birth of Shmavon Arushanian in the Lacheen region. He was Agriculture Commissar of the Armenian Peoples' Committee, President of Leninakan's Regional Party Committee, and headed the Presidency of the Supreme Soviet Council of the USSR.
- 1916 Birth of artist, sculptor, and ceramist Hripsimeh Simonian in Kars (Western Armenia).
- 1931 Celebration of the first decade of the Armenian Artillery Division.
- 1959 Yerevan's population reaches 509340, according to the Census.
- 1990 The Armenian forces control the Azeri Turk village of Kiark. It has a strategic position in the Ararat region.
- 1990 The USSR Supreme Soviet installs Viktor Polianichko (Azerbaijans Communist Party Deputy Leader) as head of the Republic Organizational Committee. In order to do away with Artsakhs Armenian majority, military action takes place from January 1991 to May 1991 to expel the Armenians from 24 Armenian villages and the subsequent occupation of half of Artsakhs territory by the Azeri Army.
- 1990 The Supreme Soviet of the USSR proclaims, without foundation, an emergency situation in Artsakh and Goris.
ARMENIAN NEWS
INTERACTIVE NEWS
INFORMATION
MY ARMTOWN
How to quit smoking?
How to write in Armenian on Windows XP?
All materials published on this website are taken from open sources and are copyrighted by their respective owners. You cannot reproduce or copy any materials published on armtown.com without written consent of original copyright holder. If you want to remove any material, please send us an email with proof of ownership/copyright and your material will be removed immediately. All materials published for information purposes only.