EU's Füle assured of ‘balanced solution’ to co-ed housing

ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News

‘It’s very important how this debate is going to end. And I hope it’s going to be ended in a way with respect to the rule of law in Turkey,’ says Füle. AA Photo

Meeting with EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle Nov. 8, Turkish officials assured the EU that the government would find a “balanced solution” to a recent debate on mixed-sex accommodation for students, diplomatic sources told the Hürriyet Daily News.

“It’s very important how this debate is going to end. And I hope it’s going to be ended in a way with respect to the rule of law in Turkey, respect to private choices, respect for the views of those who might have legitimate concerns,” Füle told reporters at a press conference following his talks in Ankara Nov. 8.

The EU Commissioner said he had discussed the issue with Turkish officials. “I made the point that it’s important to set up the framework for the debate about these important issues. This is not a taboo and not being discussed, but on the contrary various views are being aired,” he said, stressing that the EU was paying close attention to the outcome of this debate.

“I very much welcomed the democratization package presented by the prime minister. I welcome very much the assurances of the prime minister concerning respect for each and every Turkish citizen’s choices,” Füle added.

All the reforms in judicial and democratization packages aimed to strengthen democracy in line with the EU’s standards, the EU commissioner said, noting that more democracy in Turkey means “more respect and recognition of the diversity of Turkish society.” “It also means more respect for the private choices of the citizen’s lifestyles,” he added.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently said the government was preparing to enact laws to “intervene” in homes housing both female and male students under one roof.