General debate

Looking back on this week I think one thing we have learned all together and from each other is, that in order to achieve a sustainable and peaceful development in our countries and in the whole region our engagement has to be a very long term mission.

Thus, the tragedy of Kosovo urges a responsibility of the international community that will last for years. Peace and stability will need far more than just reconstruction. It will need rehabilitation and reconciliation not only in Kosovo but in the whole region. Moreover, Kosovo underlines the importance of an early warning system. In fact all of us know what was happening, but we didn't feel responsible for it.

So at the end of this conference I would like to focus on another country were our parliamentary assembly definitely has to stick to its responsibility. I'm talking about Turkey. Within the last years, Turkey has undertaken considerable efforts to improve its political and legal structures and procedures. We are taking account of this and we are very grateful to it.

However, I feel very concerned about Öcalan being sentenced to death not only because this sentence to death is a great risk for the political situation in Turkey and could lead to violence all over Europe - but because the additional European protocol to the convention on human rights is strictly against penalty to death.

On behalf of a large European community, on behalf of human rights and in view of a sustainable and peaceful development in Turkey and Europe I call upon our Turkish colleagues to do their utmost in order to avoid the execution of Mr. Öcalan and to continue with their process of democratisation. And it will be our responsibility to keep an eye on the progress Turkey is making.