President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan standsalone against the parties who wants Turkey to deal with domestic problems

Egemen Bağış gave an interview to Lebanon’s radical daily Al Joumhouria which hasnational and internationalbroadcasts. The report published in the newspaper following theinterview that took place in Istanbul highlights the following:

‘Turkish government holds its persistent stand that they exert every effort to confront the Daesh. They are also persistent that the terrorist attacks that hit Istanbul and Ankara and the allegations that Turkey involve in Brussels bombing are just futile initiatives bythe international parties who wantto disrupt Turkey’s current stability and to reduce the country’s credibility and prestige.

The concerned parties want to deal the cardsagain in the Middle East, in order to control all the resources and to redraw the boundaries on the map. According to the Former European Union Affairs Minister Egemen Bağış, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stands alone against those parties who wants Turkey to get busy with the internal problems.’

As Egemen Bağış states in the interview held with Al Joumhouria, in Istanbul, Turkey faces with a scenario that is supported by international parties that seeks the deterioration of stability in Turkey and give an image of weakened reign of the Justice and Development Party. However, this feeds the perseverance of the Turkish people to stand up against and to survive.

Bağış criticizes the parties who want to create domestic unrest in Turkey without naming. ‘Because Turkey is an obstacle in front of them to put their plans into actionto redraw the Middle East map.

They try to assume control over the resources of the Middle East through Turkey’s preoccupation with domestic problems and by reshuffling the natural resources and the boundaries. A strong leader stands against the dreams of exploiting the resources across the Middle East. His people supports President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who takes sides with them and urges the region to take control over their own people.’ said Bağış.

Stating that Turkey accepts Daesh as a terrorist organization since 2015, Bağış highlights that this position is declared as the terrorist group names itself Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in October 2013.

Immediate measures and procedures are taken for all aspects of terrorism and the authorities prevent the transition of the third country citizens to Syria, through Turkey, to join the radical groups. Turkey prepared a list of more than 37,000 people who are not allowed to enter Syria.

Bağış points to the increased security measures while talking the prevention ofthe access of the terrorists to the the engagement areas crossing Turkey.  Building new risk analysis units in the airports and increased security measures taken for traveling to districts along the Syrian border are some among those measures.

Bağış said ‘bus stations are rather critical according to the results of the risk analysis. The entrance of around 7,500 people to Turkey is prevented. Unfortunately, the suicide bombers who caused so many civilian lives to end in Paris & Brussels were let go by some of our European allies after being detained by Turkish authorities.’

Denying that his country blackmails European countries through refugee deals, Bağış added ‘In fact, Turkey is exposed to blackmailing by the international organizations; we only talk over the truths in the European Union. We opened our doors to 3 million Syrian refugees; those people want to go to Europe. We need help to stop them; we are trying to fulfill our duties with our own resources, but our resources are limited.’

He mentioned that the visa-free travel to Europe is a right that must be obtained by the Turkish citizens in 1966. Because the EU is entitled to give that right to Turkish citizens according to the agreements made. Bağış said ‘we see that countries which are not economically powerful or ready to enter to the EUas much as Turkey can join the Union. If those countries have this right, we also must have the right for full membership.’

FOREIGNERS USE THE PKK TERRORISTS

In relations with Syria, Bağış acknowledged that Turkey respects the regional/territorial integrity of all countries, saying ‘we don’t have designs on the natural resources of any country and we are particularly not happy with the partitions in our neighboring countries. A declaration of independence by any ethnic group in Syria will not solve the problem. The root of the problem is the brutal regime headed by a dictator. This dictator is killing people and looting towns. The lion in the game is in the hands of Russia and its leader Vladimir Putin.’

‘Also, Turkey seeks a solution for Syria as a whole where all Kurds, Arabs, Sunnis, Alevis and Christians will have their rights. The establishment of a democratic government which would enable all Syrian people to use their own rights will be a solution for Syria.’ Bağış adds Turkey hopes to witness the birth of democratic political parties which will campaign in Syria.

Concerning the Kurdish people in Syria, Bağış said ‘Kurdish communities in Turkey will not accept a division. Kurds are Turkish citizens and they won’t want to be compelled to separate. They will be against Turkey’s partition and would like to live in a powerful country. They won’t want to get in a process that Kurds in northern Syria experience right now.’

In addition, ‘Kurds in Turkey believe in this country but the terrorists, membersof the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK),are taking hostages in the Kurdish regions. We do not kill civilians. They targeted the Turkish government last June and some foreign parties are available to exploit the PKK elements.’

Bağış expressed that third round of negotiations to take place in Geneva next month is a hope for the Syrians to return to their homeland. ‘They are not in Turkey but are afraid of dying at the hands of a dictator. He needs to go;this is the only way for peace.’ added Bağış. He said ‘the call made by Putin to withdraw part of his troops from Syria is an observation made by the Russian leader…If Putin is really seeking a political solution for Syria, he has to ensure Ashad’s step down.’

OUR RELIGION ADVISES US TO LOVE EACH OTHER

Turkey carries out a military intervention in Syria with its ground troops justbecause our national interests are at risk. For instance, Ankara cannot stand still while missile attacks are held towardsTurkeyby the terrorist groups in Syria.

Believing that the region needs compassion, Turkish Minister comments; ‘If we can stand together…that will bind us together. Unfortunately, the battle dominates the Middle East but God is great. It is time for us, this region’s trapped people to wake up. Our religion advises us to love each other and not to encourage Sunnis and Shiites to kill each other. Erdoğan always visits Saudi Arabia and Iran and never make a discrimination between Shiites and Sunnis.

Bağış concluded ‘We want no more separation and division. I am from Prophet Muhammed’s ummah. We will unite and cooperate to eliminate thedisturbance in the Middle East. Let’s make our region a haven for trade, culture and tourism. We are in need of initiatives that will connect us.’