Turkey's justice minister says Turkey determined to reduce ECHR cases against itself

STRASBOURG (A.A) - Turkey's justice minister said on Thursday that Turkey was determined to reduce European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) cases against itself. Sadullah Ergin said Turkey would take all necessary steps to reduce complaints against itself at the ECHR, and make significant legal changes. "We are determined to reduce complaints against Turkey," Ergin told Turkish journalists in Strasbourg. Ergin met Council of Europe (COE) secretary general on Wednesday and the head of ECHR on Thursday. The minister said Turkey would prepare a strategy document on freedom of expression and thought, and Turkey would continue to cooperate with COE to reduce ECHR's violation decisions against itself. Ergin said an action plan would be prepared in line with a report to come out at the end of cooperation of Turkish and COE executives. The justice minister said 40 Turkish judges, dealing particularly with freedom of expression and thought cases, would visit Strasbourg in December and have the opportunity to monitor related case laws. Ergin said Turkey would send almost 200 judges to Strasbourg in a particular period of time, and Turkey and ECH would prepare a data base. "Significant ECHR decisions will be translated into Turkish and will be included in the data base. Turkish judges can have quick and efficient access to ECHR rulings when necessary," Ergin also said.