Speaking at a gathering at the European Parliament with Mehmet Kabakyer, president of the Holland Young Businessmen’s Association (HOGİAF), and other members of the group, Oomen-Ruijten stated that Europe “must expend effort for Turkey to become a modern country with a high level of prosperity.” The Dutch Christian Democratic Appeal member said modernizing reforms in Turkey would contribute positively not just to Turkey but to the Turks living in Europe as well.
Speaking on the report on Turkey she recently prepared, Oomen-Ruijten said the evaluations found therein were objective, commenting that the reforms passed in Turkey were of critical importance and that reforms to be accomplished from now on would require both assistance and encouragement. “These reforms are very important not for us, but for Turkey. Turkey needs to approach the issue from this perspective and begin implementing reforms,” she said.
Oomen-Ruijten also commented on current events, stating that she was closely following developments with regard to the Turkish judiciary and adding that Turkey needed a new constitution. “Judicial reform must absolutely be conducted,” she said, underscoring the essential nature of judicial reform to fully modernize the country. Commenting on the Ergenekon trial, Oomen-Ruijten said the issue needed to be explored thoroughly in a transparent manner and that those found guilty must be brought to justice. The European Parliament member also noted the important contributions of the roughly 400,000 Dutch citizens and businesspeople of Turkish descent to Holland, stating that despite this, from time to time negative examples arose and impacted the image of that community negatively.
