2. Expresses, however, its concern over certain articles in the new Constitution, with special regard to those related to the status of the armed forces, including the following: Article 202, which declares that the Minister of Defence, who is also the Commander-in-Chief, shall be appointed from among the armed forces’ officers; Article 203 on the budget of the armed forces; Article 204 allowing the trial of civilians by military judges in case of crimes of direct assaults against military installations, military zones, military equipment, military documents and secrets, pu ...[+++]blic funds of the armed forces, military factories, and military personnel, as well as in case of crimes pertaining to military service; and Article 234 declaring that the Minister of Defence shall be appointed upon the approval of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which provision shall remain in force for two full presidential terms, with no indication on how and by whom the minister can be removed from office;

5. Expresses, however, its concern over certain articles in the new Constitution, with special regard to those related to the status of the armed forces, including the following: Article 202, which declares that the Minister of Defence, who is also the Commander-in-Chief, shall be appointed from among the armed forces’ officers; Article 203 on the budget of the armed forces; Article 204 allowing the trial of civilians by military judges in case of crimes of direct assaults against military installations, military zones, military equipment, military documents and secrets, pu ...[+++]blic funds of the armed forces, military factories, and military personnel, as well as in case of crimes pertaining to military service; and Article 234 declaring that the Minister of Defence shall be appointed upon the approval of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which provision shall remain in force for two full presidential terms, with no indication on how and by whom the minister can be removed from office;

F. whereas Article 74 of the constitution stipulates that ‘no political parties can be formed on the basis of religion’; whereas Article 204 says that ‘no civilian can be tried by military judges, except for crimes of direct attacks on armed forces, military installations and military personnel’; whereas the fear exists that this article could be applied to protesters, journalists and dissidents to convict them through military trials; whereas many ...[+++]state that the constitution also widens the army’s privileges owing, inter alia, to Article 203 on the budget of the military and Article 234 on the appointment and duration in office of the Minister of Defence;

42. Welcomes the Commission's defence package, in particular its proposals for a directive in the field of defence procurement and for a directive in the field of intra-Community defence equipment transfers; is of the opinion that these are necessary steps in order to provide national and EU military personnel with the best possible interoperable equipment;

43. Welcomes the Commission's defence package, in particular its proposals for a directive in the field of defence procurement and for a directive in the field of intra-Community defence equipment transfers; is of the opinion that these are necessary steps in order to provide national and EU military personnel with the best possible interoperable equipment;

Welcomes the Commission's defence package, in particular its proposals for a directive in the field of defence procurement and for a directive in the field of intra-Community defence equipment transfers; is of the opinion that these are necessary steps in order to provide national and EU military personnel with the best possible interoperable equipment;