Erdogan Receives Socialist Group Members

Swoboda said that the meeting was long and detailed and stated that reforms were important not only for Turkey, but also for Turkey’s accession process to the European Union (EU).

He noted that the reforms should start to be implemented after recess of the parliament ended.

Stating that what was important was not to pass laws from the parliament, but to implement those laws, Swoboda said that EP always defended that there should be a good relation between civilian authority and military authority and civilians should have influence on administration.

Swoboda said that EP supported principle of separation of religion from state affairs and noted that EP also wanted civilian authority to be protected by courts and parliaments.

Stating that he and Erdogan took up central management in public administration, Swoboda said that they pointed out in the meeting that local administrations should be given more possibilities and sources in reform process.

Swoboda said that civilian administrators in regions where Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin were living should continue their local and regional works.

Stating that they were impressed about statements concerning reforms of the government and the prime minister, he reiterated that the important thing was to implement those reforms.

Swoboda said that they would meet with Justice Minister Cemil Cicek and opposition party on Friday and noted that support of the opposition was also very important in reform process.

Hannes Swoboda said that the government should provide facility for the opposition to take place in reform process and added that it was very important for EU and reform process.