Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Şentop met with the ‘PACE Election Observation Delegation’

Speaker of the Assembly Şentop received the PACE Election Observation Committee in the hall of the Presidential Council of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. During the meeting, Şentop clearly expressed Turkey’s stance regarding the fact that German Member Andrej Hunko and Swiss Member Sibel Arslan, who participated in the PKK demonstrations in Europe, should not be included in the PACE Election Observation Committee. Şentop said, «The PACE may appoint a delegation, but we will not allow those who are hostile to Turkey.»

Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Şentop, in his speech at the reception of the delegation; He said that the preparations of the relevant institutions in Turkey for the Presidential and 28th Term Parliamentary Elections to be held on May 14, to be held in peace and security at international standards at home and abroad, have been completed. Şentop said, «In order for the elections to be held in a democratic, fair and free environment, all our relevant institutions and organizations, especially the Presidency of the Supreme Election Board (YSK), are making the necessary arrangements.»

CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY FROM ŞENTOP

Noting that Turkey has significant experience in organizing elections in accordance with democratic principles and in confidence, both in terms of institutions and voters, Şentop also stated that great importance is attached to election observation. Şentop stated that importance is always attached to the principles of transparency and international cooperation in monitoring the elections. Expressing that they were invited to both the PACE and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), within the framework of the importance given to constructive cooperation, Şentop also emphasized that the observers invited to Turkey are expected to abide by the laws and their own mandates while continuing their activities. Şentop said, «It is important for us that your statements regarding your observation activities and the report you will prepare reflect an objective and constructive understanding. Only then, this report may have an impact. Turkey has always taken into account constructive criticism and recommendations.»

‘I SEE THE EXPLANATIONS THAT THE ELECTIONS CANNOT TAKE PLACE IN A FAIR ENVIRONMENT AS FAULTY’

Şentop reminded the Head of the Delegation Frank Schwabe about his critical statements regarding the election environment in Turkey and said, «In a statement you gave to the press recently in the context of the elections to be held in our country, it is unfortunate that you expressed your concerns that the elections in Turkey would not take place in a democratic, fair and free environment. I see such preconceived statements as an example of a double-standard approach towards Turkey. As the Chairman of the Temporary Commission, I would like to express that similar statements should be avoided before the election observation mission takes place. Our main expectation from your delegation is that the rules of election observation should be applied meticulously and objectively and «The report you will prepare must be of an objective and constructive understanding. We express that it should not be a report specific to Turkey or the Orient.»

Şentop also clearly expressed Turkey’s stance regarding the fact that German Member Andrej Hunko and Swiss Member Sibel Arslan, who participated in the demonstrations of the terrorist organization PKK, should not be included in the PACE Election Observation Committee. Şentop stated that Turkey’s expectation that any parliamentarian who supports terrorist organizations should not take part in the Election Observation Commission was conveyed in writing by the PACE Turkish Group, but despite Turkey’s stance, no steps were taken regarding the names. «We will not allow people who are hostile to Turkey. I want you to know that allowing and even supporting such actions, which specifically call for violence against politicians and go far beyond the limits of democratic tolerance, encourages terrorist organizations and their supporters,» he said.

In his speech, Parliament Speaker Şentop emphasized that Turkey’s relations with the Council of Europe and the PACE have been developing in an increasingly negative atmosphere recently, and said, «I regret to observe that, especially in recent years, the reports and statements about our country go beyond the limits of criticism. It has almost started to be used as a ‘punishment’ tool and has moved away from being a constructive tool.