TURKEY IS FACING ITS OWN PROBLEMS
In the meeting with the representatives of the non-governmental organizations, held in the Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Bagis stated that in Malatya, Alevi, Sunni, Kurdish and Turkish people were living in unity and solidarity, and they wanted to feel the same atmosphere all over Turkey. Bagis said:
'Recently, everybody in Turkey is discussing an issue. We are passing through the democratic initiative process, which is under the National Unity and Brotherhood Project. This process will enable Turkey to enjoy the peace that Malatya has for decades. It is not a favour to grant the same rights with the EU Member States such as France or Italy, to our citizens regardless of their ethnic origins or political opinions. It is the right of our citizens and it is only the grating of this right. In this process Turkey is progressing for the EU membership while at the same time, returning to itself.'
Bagis reminded that even when the Ottoman Empire was among the greatest powers of the world and when there were important initiatives all over the world Ottomans said: "aggrandize a nation so that the state becomes aggrandized". Bagis continued as follows:
"We cannot ensure a powerful state without aggrandizing the people. Now, in Turkey we are trying to render people noble, rather than titling the state like this. Today when we look at our constitution, noble is the title of the state. However, it is the individuals, the people that are noble. If we can enhance the democratic rights of our people, increase the economic potential and improve freedoms, our state will become noble and gain strength by itself. Today, can we think of a country which really adopted democracy and increased the freedoms of its people but poor? Is it a coincidence that all the countries which really adopted democracy are rich and its people are living in welfare? Countries investing in democracy, and paving the way for its people can become great countries. The steps taken in our country within this framework are really important for Turkey's tranquility, unity and solidarity. Therefore, the National Unity and Brotherhood Project will strengthen and develop Turkey more.'
Bagis pointed that some members of the opposing parties were trying to define the EU process as Turkey's being obedient to every word of Europe. However, Bagis said: "Not only Turkey needs the EU but also the EU needs Turkey. Turkey has a young and dynamic population. Nearly half of the 72 million people are below 30. This is very important for the EU."
Bagis attended the activity of distributing ashure pudding (or Noah's pudding) organized in the Hacı Bektas Veli Anatolian Culture Foundation. In his speech there, Bagis stated that in course books, there were topics related to Alevism, and the main aim of this was to prevent children learning "nonsense, wrong" information. Bagis said that in Turkey, problems were not ignored or swept under the rug any more. Bagis continued as follows:
'Thank God, in today's Turkey, there is no more coups and prime ministers are not executed, as it used to be 50 years ago. Fortunately, nobody thinks anymore whether to visit Haci Bektas Veli or not. We are getting closer through more modern, better means of transport and airports. Thank God, we have a President who is not hesitating to go cemevi and a government including topics related to Alevism into course books. Today, in Turkey we do not ignore the problem or sweep them under the rug. We display a will enabling us to face with our problems. We admit that Alevi, Sunni, Kurdish citizens, the minorities, the women, the young, the farmers have problems but thank God, we also have the will, belief and a government supported by you to solve these problems. We believe that we can ‘transform pain into honey' by cooperating with you.'
Bagis declared their sincere belief that everybody in Turkey regardless of their religion or political opinion can cooperate. Bagis also said: 'We have a lot in common but fewer differences. In this initiative process, we are not taking steps only for a group. We act by bearing all the citizens and groups in Turkey. What we do under the National Unity and Brotherhood Project is to refresh the principle of Pir Sultan Abdal: ‘the beloved ones, let's unify'.'
Then, Bagis attended the AK Party Provincial Advisory Board meeting and there he explained the EU process to the members of the AK Party. Bagis said that Turkey needed a new constitution. Bagis also reminded his call to all of the political parties for preparing a draft constitution and he said that he had not received anything regarding this call.
Later on, Bagis replied the questions of the press members. Upon a question asking the new EU strategy, Bagis said that there were steps to be taken in 2010 and within this framework they would carry out a four-platform strategy to be discussed in the Cabinet.
Source: AA
