Jagland says CoE may play role in Turkey's EU accession

25 June 2013 /TODAY'S ZAMAN, STANBUL

Council of Europe (CoE) Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland, who has been on an official visit to Turkey for two days, said the continuation of accession talks for Turkey's European Union membership bid is vital both for Europe and the country. During the talks Jagland held with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan and Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin on Tuesday, the officials discussed recent protests in Turkey as well as Turkey's membership talks with the 27-nation-bloc. The meeting came on the same day the EU's General Affairs Council agreed to open accession talks with Turkey on one of the 35 negotiating chapters, yet delaying the official talks for the chapter to a later time. The Council of Europe may play a significant role in Turkey's EU membership process, particularly in the opening of new chapters with the EU bloc, Jagland said, as he spoke to reporters after having talks with Erdoan. Recalling that Turkey is a founding member of the CoE, established in 1949, Jagland said he held talks with Erdoan in a positive atmosphere. Jagland was also due to continue his talks at the Foreign Ministry later on Tuesday. An official from the Foreign Ministry, who declined to be named, earlier said Jagland's visit was at the invitation of the Turkish Prime Ministry in order to discuss the recent reforms in Turkey regarding human rights and the rule of law, reforms that fall within the CoE's remit. The official rejected the idea that the visit would be an inspection of human rights violations in Turkey during the protests, contrary to what Turkish media reports have said about the meeting. The CoE, which has kept its silence over the events rather longer than other international organizations, released a statement on the Gezi Park protests on June 16, which warned the authorities to take appropriate measures with regards to demonstrations in order to ensure their peaceful conduct and the safety of all citizens. In case security forces have to intervene with force, this intervention has to be strictly proportionate and necessary. For example, in a number of judgments, the Court held that the use of tear gas in confined places, including hospitals, is neither necessary nor proportionate, the statement noted.