IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu expressed his satisfaction with the decree that have been which is aimed at improving the state of emergency conditions on 23 January 2017. He also indicated that amelioration of the political situation  would benefit  the business environment in Turkey. As it is known, a treacherous coup attempt which attacked the very foundations of Turkey’s democratic institutions had been successfully thwarted thanks to a great fight for democracy on 15 July 2016. Following the restoration process, the state of emergency was declared on 21 July 2016 for a duration of three months and later extended for an extra three months.

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu assessed the state of emergency as follows: “State of emergency procedures do not constitute a new phenomenon in the European scene. Following the terrorist attacks which struck France on 13 November 2015, the state of emergency had been declared and it had been later extended for a fifth time. As it is known, as a result of a terrorist attack in Brussels, the Belgian authorities had declared measures reminiscent of a state of emergency such as a temporary curfew. One can see in many different EU Member States a propensity to further stiffened measures with respect to national security and the fight against terrorism. It is possible to explain this propsneity because of a terror wave with global dimensions, unresolved regional issues and very large and continuous migrant flows. The measures which have been implemented in Turkey also are based upon a similar rationale. It is of utmost importance to reiterate that the state of emergency measures which are implemented in Turkey are based upon principles of a Western democracy, and are temporary and respectful of the rule of law. As such, we do express our satisfaction with the decrees which were revealed on the 23 January and aimed at improving the state of emergency conditions in conformity with EU standards”.

The latest decree envisaging a revision of the state of emergency include the following:

- The reduction of the detention period from 30 days a to 7 days following the arrestation; this period may be extended to 7 additional days with the decision of a prosecutor based on the difficulty in gathering evidence or as a result of the high number of suspects;

- The lifting of the provision which was limiting the right to confer with a lawyer to 5 days based on a decision taken by a prosecutor and with respect to suspects in custody for crimes within the framework of the anti-terror law;

- The possibility to send the objections with respect to measures taken under state of emergency decrees  to the Commission Supervising the State of Emergency Processes.

Furthermore, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu reminded that the implementation of the state of emergency process which is currently in force in Turkey is closely followed by European authorities. As such, he went on to add that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) discussed the functioning of Turkey’s democratic institutions on 23 January 2017.

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu added the following in that respect: “The proposition with respect to discussing this issue as a matter of urgency has been rejected at the General Assembly of PACE. As regards further guarantees given to fundamental rights and freedoms in Turkey, it is of critical importance that the notices given by the EU institutions and other international organisations are fully taken into consideration with respect to the level of development of Turkey, from the perspective of the possibility to invest in our country and as regards the level of welfare of our citizens. Therefore, the assessments made by the European Commission in its 2016 Progress Report on Turkey and which was published on 9 November should be fully taken into consideration”.

The Copenhagen Criteria Hold a Special Importance for a Healthy Modernisation Process of the Customs Union

IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu  also expressed his satisfaction with respect to the latest decrees aimed at taking into consideration warnings made by European authorities and added the following: “The fact that the EU constitutes the most successful economic integration project in world history is actually based on the importance given to fundamental rights and freedoms and good governance”.

“According to figures released by the Ministry of Economy, 54% of foreign direct investments (FDI) made in Turkey in between January and November 2016 originated from EU Member States. The fact that that the countries which are realising the most investments in Turkey which are Germany, the Netherlands and the UK are also in the top 10 countries among 113 countries of the Rule of Law Index 2016 is not a surprise. The authorities should strive to strengthen and increase international investments into Turkey, a G20 member economy. Furthermore, one should remind that it is of great importance to comply with the Copenhagen Criteria as we enter modernisation process in order to consolidate a healthier Customs Union where it is easier to make business”.