ANKARA: Turkish parliamentaryspeaker defines meetings in Strasbourgf

Turkish Parliament Speaker Defines His Meetings In Strasbourg Fruitful

Anadolu Agency
May 20 2004

ISTANBUL – Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said on Thursday
that his participation in the European Conference of Presidents of
Parliaments in Strasbourg was very beneficial to stress importance
Turkey attached to the Council of Europe (COE) and to explain Turkey’s
efforts on the road to European Union (EU) membership.

Arinc, who returned from Strasbourg, told reporters that three
sittings on “how democratic is our democracy?”, “modern technology and
democratic procedures” and “Co-operation for more democracy – National
Parliaments and European Assemblies” were held in the conference.

He delivered a speech on “how democratic is our democracy”, Arinc
stated.

Arinc said that he held bilateral meetings with his Greek, Georgian,
Russian and Armenian counterparts in Strasbourg.

He also met with Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (COEPA)
President Peter Schieder, Arinc noted.

Arinc said that he also visited the European Court of Human Rights
(ECHR), Arinc stated.

Arinc pointed out that he received information from ECHR Vice President
about functioning of the court and the ECHR Vice President welcomed
Turkey’s progress in human rights.

Arinc, who went to Strasbourg on Monday, attended on the same day
the meeting of Athens Working Group which was formed by parliament
speakers of European Union (EU) member and candidate countries. The
theme of the parliamentary summit was “Europe of citizens: parliaments
and participation of citizens”.

Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, who delivered a speech in
the conference on Tuesday, said that ruling parties should always
remember that they were representatives not only of majority that
they represented, but also representatives of whole nation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS