Today, we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Council of
Europe.
At this important milestone, the Council of Europe demonstrates once and
again its role of creating unity by bringing together European democracies
around shared values.
At times, this unity was exposed to challenges. Yet it was possible to
overcome these challenges by working together in good faith.
As a founding member, Turkey played an important role and assumed
responsibility at every stage in building the Council of Europe and will
continue its long standing, close and constructive cooperation with this
organisation also in the future.
In light of the challenges our democracies are facing, Turkey remains
committed to the aim of guaranteeing the effectiveness and sustainability
of the Council of Europe. With this understanding, Turkey will continue to
support efforts for reforming both the Council of Europe and the European
Court of Human Rights. Turkey will also continue to do its best to preserve
the integrity of the Council of Europe.
As member States of the Council of Europe, assuming collective
responsibility, showing political will and remaining committed to dialogue
will help us find suitable solutions to various issues on our agenda. It is
important than ever that the Council of Europe effectively fights against
challenges such as rising xenophobia, hostility against migrants,
Islamophobia and extremism.
As a person who has assumed important mandates within the Council of
Europe, including the Presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly, I
congratulate and extend my best wishes for the 70th anniversary
of the Council of Europe.