25/01/2011 Session
Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly, Turkish President Abdullah Gül said that while trying to come out of a severe economic crisis which causes a mood of deep pessimism, Europe should not forget that it is also a cradle for notions such as democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights.
''Europe is a way of life based on shared common values and standards with universal relevance'', he said, warning against the threat of growing manifestations of intolerance and discrimination, weakening of social ties and increasing gaps between different religious, ethnic and cultural communities. Racism and xenophobia represent a major cause of concern in connection with the current economic crisis he said, underlining that the Council of Europe has done and continues to do much for promoting peaceful co-existence and mutual respect between peoples of different origin, culture and faith living in Europe.