"NOTHING CAN BE ACHIEVED BY OTHERING AND UNDERESTIMATING THE PEOPLE LIKE OTHER PARTIES DO"

Attending the Van Provincial Congress of AK Party, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis also participated in a meeting held at the 17th District Office of General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works and met with the representatives of the local newspapers. Bagis evaluated the meetings and the agenda.

Stating that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a historic speech in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Bagis said:

"He said everything that should be mentioned. By saying ‘We have found this Republic together with the Kurdish, Turkish, Laz, Circassian people and will all together maintain it' our Prime Minister gave the reply to all those troublemaker ones aiming to set brother against brother. Today in 81 provinces we meet with our friends who have set their hearts on AK Party and on the wealth, development, democratization and liberation of this country."

Stating that today they have strengthened and carried the torch which was lighted by Prime Minister Erdogan, Bagis continued his speech as follows:

"Together, we are delivering a message. It is a message of sympathy. It is not a message of separation. We know that nothing can be achieved by othering, underestimating and despising the people as do other parties." Bagis also added:

"We can't just be a mere spectator to the othering of anyone because different cultures, different religions, different ethnic identities of this country are the unifying elements, not separating."

Stating that Turkey would continue to democratization, Bagis continued:

"No matter what they say, the process will continue. We experienced the time when people weren't allowed to name their children as Rojin, Agop, Bektaş and Mücahit. These shameful events will end. Every parent has the incontestable right to freely name their children. No one can take away this right; we can't allow this to happen. I hope the terror will end. Those aiming to set brother against brother will be disappointed."

Stating that while contributing to peace in international area, Bagis said they couldn't ignore the need for peace and tranquility in this country and continued:

"This process involves the rights of every citizen in Turkey. We shouldn't restrict it to a certain sect. Our Kurdish brothers aren't the only sect having problems on their democratic rights. Our Alewi, Armenian brothers, our workers, women also have problems. With the support of our citizens, we want to start a new process in order to improve the individual democratic rights of everyone in Turkey. We want to eliminate the deficiencies in Turkey as soon as possible. Turkey doesn't need to look up to other countries as it is a country to be admired."

Indicating that "Turkey is a united country and we will take the necessary steps together to ensure that our children approach each other with love" Bagis continued as follows:

If we want peace in Turkey we have to carry out these issues consciously and with love and keep away from attempts which may arouse hostility.

Source: AA