[04/10/07 08:30] Thomas Hammarberg met with the newly elected President of Turkey, Mr. Abdullah Gül, on 3 October in Strasbourg.
The discussions focused on the need to continue the reform process in Turkey to ensure full respect for human rights. While recognising the vast progress made in recent years, the Commissioner expressed concern about cases of prosecutions against individuals for peaceful expressions of opinions. He also suggested moves to ensure respect for religious minorities in Turkey.
Mr Hammarberg put a particular emphasis on the need to establish an effective and independent ombudsman institution in Turkey and offered co-operation in this endeavour.
The President and the Commissioner were also alarmed by the growing xenophobia and islamophobia in Europe and agreed on the need to do more to protect the rights of migrants across the continent.
The meeting was attended by the new Minister of Justice, Mr Mehmet Ali Sahin, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Cemil Cicek.
Commissioner Hammarberg will travel to Ankara on 22-23 October to continue the high level talks with the newly elected Government and the Turkish Grand National Assembly.