Turkey's Accession to EU Important Both for Ankara and Europe's FutureJanuary 17, 2007 - 14:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish membership to the EU is very important for Turkey. I consider the EU as a union of states seeking for a more prosperous and better future, Erkut Emcioğlu, International Relations Coordinator of ARI Movement said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net Turkey has been on the track since 1959 and albeit some ups and downs maintained its target to become a member. It is a state policy. The process of transformation in which Turkey currently is turns it into a more democratic modern state. I strongly support Turkish membership to the EU. It is also important to note that the future Turkish entry to the Union is also crucial for Europe's future. Will Europe become a real global economic and political power, preventing the clash of civilizations and promoting peace and harmony and offering wealth to more nations?" he said.As to amendment or cancellation of Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, the Turkish political scientist said, "I think the use of this article has been very abusive and authors such as Orhan Pamuk or Elif Safak have been subject to prosecution. However, the public opinion leaders see the danger and strongly fight for it to be modified. ARI Movement is among the NGOs which push in this direction." Top stories The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Yerevan City Council has elected Tigran Avniyan from the ruling Civil Contract as the mayor of the Armenian capital. The Armenian Parliament on Tuesday, October 3 voted to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |