§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for the United Kingdom's relations with Turkey of the human rights situation in that country.
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§ Mrs. ChalkerWe believe that considerable progress has been made in recent years towards the restoration of human rights and democracy in Turkey. Our relations with Turkey, which is an important NATO ally, are excellent. We take every appropriate opportunity to raise the subject of human rights with the Turks. We welcome the announcement on 7 January that Turkey would sign the European convention for the prevention of torture.