Andrew Duff MEP for East of England

Andrew Duff statement on Turkey

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

Kemal Ataturk

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/…

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