Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that to defend freedom of religion and conscience never meant establishing a state of religion.
Erdogan was speaking to journalists at the opening ceremony of the 2003-2004 legislative year earlier today, after his visit to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals Eraslan Ozkaya.
Commenting on his remarks about changes to the constitution, he said,
"There is already consensus in Turkey regarding the subject. Which parts of it should be changed and which parts should not, are being considered. However, this should be completed with public consensus and alternative approaches and views should be avoided. For this, we believe public reconciliation is necessary. If public consensus is achieved, a healthy transition could be realized."
Asked to comment on Ozkaya's statement, "judicial control should be included in every establishment", Erdogan said, "That is a subject that would be discussed in a different manner. We respect it as well. However, certain approaches to it are different. The judiciary control functions differently. If we take this up, it will be beneficial to evaluate the comments thoroughly and to take steps accordingly."