WE ONCE MORE COMMEMORATE WITH MERCY, GRATITUDE AND PROFOUND RESPECT THE LATE MENDERES, ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis stated that the contributions of Adnan Menderes to Turkey's democratization and development process could not be ignored.

In his message released on the occasion of the anniversary of Adnan Menderes' death, Bagis said:

"Today is the anniversary of the death of the former Prime Minister Adnan Menderes, one of the most prominent leaders in the history of Turkish democracy. The late Menderes was the first who applied to the European Economic Community with great vision in 1959. Taking over the flag after 50 years and being the first full-time Chief Negotiator for EU Affairs of Turkey, today I understand better his importance in Turkish policy.

The contributions of late Adnan Menderes to Turkey's democratization and development process cannot be ignored. He pioneered the adopting and practicing of multi-party political system. Broadening new horizons, he and his friends paved the way for transition to multi-party system, for the nation to have a voice in administration of the country and for determination of the ruling party with free elections."

Pointing out that Menderes was one the first statesman recognizing the importance of foreign capital in the development of Turkey, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Bagis continued his message as follows:

"While supporting pluralist democracy model in politics and free market economy, Menderes has proved that those could co-exist with our cultural values and, with his active international politics, has laid the foundations of European Turkey.

Today families naming their children as "Adnan" and "Menderes" continue his memory. I once again commemorate with mercy, gratitude and profound respect the late Menderes, great statesman and a man of the public, living in our hearts with his services, on the anniversary of his death."

Attending the commemoration ceremony held by the Foundation of Volunteer Organizations of Turkey around the grave of Menderes in Topkapı, Bagis stated that everyone in Turkey was aware of the great contributions of Menderes and his friends to Turkish democracy. Reminding that it was Menderes who applied to the European Economic Community and gave the start to EU negotiations, Bagis stated that this application proved how broad and powerful was the vision of Menderes.

Emphasizing that everyone who made efforts to be constructive in Turkey should be paid tribute to, Bagis said that, as the AK Party, they tried to form a brighter, richer and a more modern, democratic, prosperous Turkey on the basis of what Menderes had done.

Stating that EU is the guarantee for those fearing coups or shariah, Bagis said that Adnan Menderes took the first step to eliminate those fears which lead to his own death.

Bagis added that the vision of Adnan Menderes paved the way for Turkey and created a positive outlook for the future.

Source: AA