Schulz: New charter a historic change for world-class democracy

The newly elected president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, has called the drafting process of a new constitution "a historic opportunity" for Turkey in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Schulz, the former leader of the Socialists in the European Parliament who was elected EP president on Jan. 17, made clear in his letter that a new constitution guaranteeing fundamental freedoms was indispensable both for Turkey and the European Union. He also underlined the urgency for the judicial reform to deepen and consolidate freedoms in Turkey. The letter, dated Feb. 22, called Turkey "a strategic ally of the EU" and "one of its major economic and cultural counterparts." Schulz underlined that Turkey's diplomatic influence and economic power were growing "fast." Backing the European Commission's positive agenda to further Turkey's bid for membership, Schulz stressed that they were attaching the utmost importance to the drafting of a new constitution. According to the EP president, drafting a new constitution "represents a historic opportunity to provide a modern charter that would not only serve the needs of all citizens of Turkey but also elevate your country to the status of a world class democracy." Schulz reflected in his letter that the drafting process should be done through a "multi-party committee and in consultation with the civil society in an inclusive working methodology." The second point the EP president underlined was the need for reform of the judicial system. Welcoming the recent initiative of the government as a clear intention to improve the functioning of judiciary, Schulz drew attention to the need to reduce the "excessively long detention periods and better guarantee the freedom of thought and expression." In another letter, sent to Speaker of Parliament Cemil Cicek, Schulz praised the methodology adopted by Parliament in drafting the new constitution. "We consider that the inclusive working methodology [multi-party committee, consultation with civil society] which you have put in place is a very valuable one."