Andrew Duff statement on Turkey

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 27th Sep 2005

Mr Andrew Duff MEP, Vice-President of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, issued the following statement today (Tuesday):-

"On 18 September the Turkish newspaper Milliyet reported that, in a conversation with journalists in Brussels, I had insulted the memory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

"That is not so. I have great admiration for the historical achievements of Atatürk, and know very well the great honour in which Turks hold his memory.

"What I criticise, however, is the fundamentalism of some of his adherents. Kemalism, like all other political philosophies, must be allowed to adapt to suit the conditions of the age. A narrow interpretation of Kemalism does not serve Turkey's interests today as it faces towards the European Union.

"Europe has changed almost beyond recognition since the 1920s. Europeans have a new understanding of fundamental rights. We have placed our commitment to liberal democracy above that of nationalism. We have learned how to share national sovereignty. We regard the role of the state as being to serve the citizen, and not the other way around. Even our heroes have changed.

"Atatürk did not have to face the challenge of European integration. It is therefore unfortunate that rigid Kemalist orthodoxy is sometimes used in Turkey today as a conservative brake upon reform, and even as an excuse to disregard the criteria of EU membership - including freedom of thought and speech, reform of the judiciary and the adoption of a more modest role for the armed forces in political life.

"I do not say, as has been reported, that 'all photos of Atatürk should be taken down from public buildings'. I do say that, as part of the contemporary Europeanisation process now underway in Turkey, that the way Turks honour the father of the Republic will be adapted.

"I continue to be a strong supporter of Turkish accession to the European Union."

ENDS/…

Bookmark this story at: del.icio.us Digg Facebook LibDig reddit StumbleUpon
Print this news story.
Comment on this news story.
Previous news story: Duff considers Turkey's signature of Ankara accord an important step towards Cyprus settlement (Thu 28th Jul 2005).
Next news story: MEPs reject Clarke's vision of Data storage - Duff (Tue 27th Sep 2005).

Related News Stories:

Tue 9th Feb 2010:

Andrew Duff says new European Commission must be 'bolder and better'.

Mon 9th Nov 2009:

Andrew Duff joins commemoration of Berlin Wall in Brussels. .

Tue 3rd Nov 2009:

Andrew Duff Welcome Lisbon Ratification: .

Sat 3rd Oct 2009:

Andrew Duff MEP welcomes Irish 'Yes' vote.

Wed 16th Sep 2009:

Barroso Must Seize Initiative: Andrew Duff Calls For New Commission Action.

Tue 9th Jun 2009:

ANDREW DUFF WELCOMES THE DEMISE OF LIBERTAS.

Wed 13th May 2009:

Andrew Duff Backs Region's Small Business To Lead Economic Recovery.

Tue 12th May 2009:

Liberal Democrats Launch European Parliamentary Campaign: 'We're Stronger Together In Europe' Says Andrew Duff.

Tue 5th May 2009:

Andrew Duff welcomes vote on Animal testing.

Thu 19th Mar 2009:

Andrew Duff comments on Competition Commission's proposals for Stansted.

Thu 19th Feb 2009:

Andrew Duff Asks Vaclav Klaus If He Is A 'Closet Federalist'.

Wed 26th Nov 2008:

Following the positive decision of the Czech Constitutional Court: "Prague must immediately ratify the Lisbon Treaty", says Andrew Duff.

Thu 20th Nov 2008:

Andrew Duff welcomes Swedish YES to Lisbon.

Wed 29th Oct 2008:

Andrew Duff prepares for Euro campaign.

Sun 26th Oct 2008:

Andrew Duff democracy building in Morocco.

Thu 23rd Oct 2008:

Andrew Duff backs legislation to protect British holidaymakers.

Mon 13th Oct 2008:

ALDE congratulates Andrew Duff, newly elected President of the Union of European Federalists.

Wed 24th Sep 2008:

Andrew Duff reacts to tragic death of ex MEP for Norfolk Paul Howell.

Mon 28th Jul 2008:

Andrew Duff on mission to Turkey.

Mon 21st Jul 2008:

Andrew Duff at Geremek State Funeral.

Tue 11th Mar 2008:

Andrew Duff responds to BAA application for a second runway at Stansted.

Mon 18th Feb 2008:

Andrew Duff welcomes first steps to Kosovan independence.

Tue 18th Dec 2007:

Andrew Duff MEP welcomes Nick Clegg.

Tue 11th Dec 2007:

Andrew Duff launches 'True Guide' to Lisbon Treaty.

Wed 24th Oct 2007:

Andrew Duff welcomes 'Blue card' proposals.

Mon 15th Oct 2007:

Andrew Duff comments on Ming Campbell resignation.

Wed 26th Sep 2007:

Andrew Duff welcomes Parliament backing for European Institute of Technology .

Fri 21st Sep 2007:

Andrew Duff comments on Dutch Government response to reform treaty.

Thu 6th Sep 2007:

Andrew Duff in Portugal for new Treaty negotiations.

Sun 22nd Jul 2007:

Andrew Duff Calls For No Backtracking On Treaty Deal.

Thu 19th Jul 2007:

Andrew Duff Blames Government for 'Hopeless Inertia' Over East-West Links.

Thu 26th Apr 2007:

Andrew Duff supports calls for release of Alan Johnston.

Sun 11th Mar 2007:

Andrew Duff: 'Only Green Tax Switch And Better Science Can Deliver European Union Goals On Climate Change'.

Wed 28th Feb 2007:

Andrew Duff launches Radical reform of EU Constitution.

Tue 20th Feb 2007:

East of England Liberal Democrat Euro MP Andrew Duff is today taking part in a debate on the question 'How Christian is Europe?'.

Wed 17th Jan 2007:

Andrew Duff MEP elected leader of UK Lib Dems in European Parliament.

Fri 17th Nov 2006:

Andrew Duff attacks Tory 'Fraud' on Green Agenda.

Mon 30th Oct 2006:

Andrew Duff calls for a turning point on the Constitution.

Tue 24th Oct 2006:

Liberal Democrats and Andrew Duff MEP fight for Patient Rights.

Fri 20th Oct 2006:

Andrew Duff spearheads Lib Dem 'Green Tax Switch' campaign across the East England.

Wed 18th Oct 2006:

Andrew Duff launches European Constitution Plan B.

Tue 15th Aug 2006:

Andrew Duff welcomes British Sugar Deal.

Wed 26th Jul 2006:

ANDREW DUFF OPPOSES EU/NATO MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN LEBANON: CALL FOR PALESTINIAN SETTLEMENT.

Wed 10th May 2006:

EU Constitution: Andrew Duff MEP calls for a Commission Plan 'B'.

Fri 31st Mar 2006:

Andrew Duff visits Vauxhall Van plant at Luton.

Thu 2nd Mar 2006:

Andrew Duff welcomes Campbell Leadership.

Wed 15th Feb 2006:

Andrew Duff fights to boost services.

Thu 19th Jan 2006:

Andrew Duff welcomes adoption of rescue plan for EU Constitutional Treaty.

Wed 18th Jan 2006:

Andrew Duff welcomes Parliament's rejection of Directive on Port Services.

Tue 20th Dec 2005:

Andrew Duff responds to Blair speech on EU Budget Deal in the European Parliament.

Thu 15th Dec 2005:

ANDREW DUFF ATTENDS TRIAL OF ORHAN PAMUK IN ISTANBUL.

Mon 21st Nov 2005:

Andrew Duff says that UK Government should accept rebate reduction in return for Co-Financing deal with French.

Fri 18th Nov 2005:

Andrew Duff welcomes Parliament's decision on chemical safety.

Thu 28th Jul 2005:

Duff considers Turkey's signature of Ankara accord an important step towards Cyprus settlement.

Thu 7th Jul 2005:

Andrew Duff welcomes Olympic boost as challenge for East of England.

Thu 30th Jun 2005:

Duff welcomes Turkey decision ands castigates EPP group.

Thu 16th Jun 2005:

Andrew Duff calls for renogotiation of the Constitution.

Wed 8th Jun 2005:

ANDREW DUFF URGES EUROPEAN COUNCIL TO REVISE WITH CONSTITUTION WITH NEW CONVENTION.

Thu 2nd Jun 2005:

Andrew Duff urges European Council to continue with Constitution process.

Thu 26th May 2005:

Andrew Duff campaigns in France and the Netherlands.

Fri 22nd Apr 2005:

Andrew Duff calls for more open and less insular debate.

Thu 17th Feb 2005:

Andrew Duff condemns Straw's decision on Constitution Information.

Wed 9th Feb 2005:

Andrew Duff campaigns in Spain for EU Constitution.

Thu 3rd Feb 2005:

Andrew Duff visit to North Cyprus: 'EU must deal fairly with Turkish Cypriots'.

Mon 10th Jan 2005:

Andrew Duff outline's ten reasons why UK should support EU Constitution.

Tue 14th Dec 2004:

Andrew Duff calls for Commission strategy to repair transatlantic relationship.

Mon 13th Dec 2004:

Andrew Duff supports Turkish membership negotiation.

Wed 17th Nov 2004:

Andrew Duff hails possible deal with Barroso Commission.

Thu 11th Nov 2004:

Andrew Duff welcomes ratification of the Constitution by Lithuanian Parliament.

Fri 5th Nov 2004:

Andrew Duff calls for end to 'piecemeal, half witted English devolution'.

Andrew Duff MEP to visit Sense centre in Dereham.

Thu 28th Oct 2004:

Andrew Duff says Europe wins as the political crisis breaths new spirit into the Constitution.

Wed 6th Oct 2004:

Andrew Duff welcomes Commission decision on Turkey.

Mon 27th Sep 2004:

Andrew Duff calls on European Council to meet Turkish Cypriot needs.

Mon 20th Sep 2004:

Andrew Duff attacks Tory Chaos on Euro-Referendum.

Wed 15th Sep 2004:

Andrew Duff calls for European Council and Commission to Campaign for Constituton.

Fri 23rd Jul 2004:

Andrew Duff says Mandelson will be a successful Commissioner if he stands up to Blair.

Tue 13th Jul 2004:

Andrew Duff joins new group in European Parliament.

Wed 16th Jun 2004:

Andrew Duff calls for EU leaders to stand up to Britain.

Mon 14th Jun 2004:

Andrew Duff pledges to continue to fight for European Unity.

Thu 3rd Jun 2004:

Andrew Duff questions Tory credibility on EU membership.

Wed 2nd Jun 2004:

Andrew Duff Challenges Tories on EU Farm Policy.

Thu 1st Apr 2004:

Andrew Duff to visit Ipswich Town.

Tue 23rd Mar 2004:

Impasse at IGC - Andrew Duff proposes further changes to Thursday's European Council.

Fri 27th Feb 2004:

Andrew Duff to visit Unilever at Ness Point Lowestoft.

Fri 13th Feb 2004:

Andrew Duff to visit British Sugar at Wissington.

Thu 20th Nov 2003:

Andrew Duff Deplores Terrorist Attacks In Turkey.

Wed 1st Oct 2003:

Andrew Duff welcomes inclusion of East-West railway line as EU priority.

Thu 19th Jun 2003:

Andrew Duff to meet Liberal Leaders in Thessaloniki.

Fri 13th Jun 2003:

Andrew Duff Commits Liberals To Support Convention Consensus.

Wed 4th Jun 2003:

Andrew Duff Proposes New Preamble.

Thu 2nd Mar 2000:

Trains, Planes and Automobiles: Andrew Duff MEP visits Luton.

Thu 10th Feb 2000:

Andrew Duff proposes new Trans-European Network for Eastern England.

Thu 9th Dec 1999:

Duff calls Europe to drive reform of Turkey.

Fri 3rd Dec 1999:

Duff to visit Turkey Quake area.

Tue 20th Jul 1999:

Andrew Duff takes his seat in EP.

Related Speeches:

Sat 22nd Nov 2008:

SPEECH BY UEF PRESIDENT ANDREW DUFF MEP.

Printed and hosted by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY.
Published and promoted by Andrew Duff MEP, (Tim Huggan), Orwell House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0PP.
The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider.

Andrew Duff statement on Turkey

Related News Stories:

Related Press Articles:

Related Speeches: