WE ARE WORKING FOR RAISING THE LIVING STANDARDS OF ALL CITIZENS IN THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY

Visiting the Governorate of Gaziantep within the scope of his Gaziantep programme, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, in his speech he delivered there, stated that Turkey was a global actor and said, "We are aware of our power, as we become aware of our power, others will also become aware of our power."

Bagis said:

"If we were elected as a member of the UN Security Council by receiving 152 votes from 191 voting countries in the world, in other words, if every eight countries out of 10 requested us to lead them in solving the problems of the world, this didn't happen for any reason. This is the result of Turkey's efforts. Turkey is now the 16th biggest economy in the world. Turkey is the 6th biggest economy in Europe and it has the 4th largest labour force in Europe."

In his speech, Bagis also mentioned Turkey's regional role and said:

"We defended the idea that Turkey is a country of both the east and the west. We will strengthen this idea with the project we will witness today. Turkey is the shining star in its region. Turkey has now become a centre for peace. Turkey is the only country which acts as a mediator between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, Russia and Georgia, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, Palestine-Israel-Syria triangle and even between USA and Iran.

Our Prime Minister has returned from Qatar, our Foreign Minister was in Iran. We all endeavour to realize projects in various places. We are trying to turn Turkey into the centre of peace, energy and comfort. Gaziantep is one of those places which experienced this for centuries. Gaziantep is performing a very important duty in the EU process. Our deputy governors which were assigned duties under the coordination of the Governorate will inform the public of Gaziantep about the EU. Chambers, NGOs, universities will be better informed of this issue. EU Consultative Board will be established. Major steps will be taken on the issue of the EU in all the governorates through the circular of the Ministry of Interior."

Bagis answered the questions of the journalists and in his answer concerning the question about the "constitutional amendment", he stated that this was not a new process and they were ready to cooperate with the opposition parties for a Constitution which would suit Turkey's needs and which would be a good example to Eurasia.

Within the framework of Gaziantep programme, Bagis participated in the inauguration of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Research and Treatment Centre within the body of 25 Aralık State Hospital.

Bagis stated that it was time to deal with different problems in Turkey and added that one of these was Alcohol and Drug Addiction Research and Treatment Centre. He said: "On the one hand we are taking very important steps in foreign policy and on the other hand, we are trying to raise the life standards of our citizens in every field from security to justice and from national education to health."

Bagis said the following:

"There is no reason for the state to remain insensitive to the issue of our citizens' ethnic origins, religious beliefs and political preferences. While we are saying that we want freedom in this country, we are declaring at the same time that we will protect each individual's life style which they choose by their own will. The Prime Minister expresses in every occasion: ‘the life styles of 72 million Turkish citizens are under our protection.'

Within the scope of the MATRA Programme which will be implemented with the fund provided by the Foreign Ministry of Holland within the framework of Turkey-Holland cooperation, Bagis participated in the signing ceremony of "Implementation Project of a Regional Addiction Treatment Model in Gaziantep".

Jan Paul Dirkse, the Dutch Ambassador in Ankara, congratulated Bagis and he said: "An extremely serious and real cooperation is being constituted in here. This is an indicator of a good cooperation between Europe's furthest east and furthest west." Dirske stated that Holland was in advanced level in terms of addiction treatments and added that they wanted to share their experiences with the people in Gaziantep. He said: "I sincerely wish good luck to this project".

Source: AA