FOREIGN POLICY EDUCATION SEMINAR BY GAZIOSMANPASA ORGANIZATION

AK Party Vice Chairman Egemen Bagis stated that Turkey's representation in UN Security Council after 47 years means that its foreign reputation hit the top. Speaking at the education meeting arranged by AK Party Gaziosmanpasa County Chairmanship, Bagis gave a briefing on his party foreign policy.

Stating that Turkey's temporary membership to UN Security Council is a result of a democratic election, Bagis said:

"Turkey's representation in UN Security Council after 47 years means that its foreign reputation hit the top. Turkey will be the primary country intervening in any dispute and conflict occurred among two or more than two countries. Turkey will not be anymore a spectacular or a country only applying the decisions taken, yet a country giving the decisions and shaping the way to make those decisions. This is not something happened for no reason, otherwise Turkey would not wait for 47 years considering that we were not even able to show the courage to be a candidate to UN Security Council membership."

Stating that unlike the former political powers term, Turkey, in last 6 years, does not "hide its head in the sand" and does not say "I do not care", but rather does lick world's wounds; Bagis explained that Turkey is elected as temporary membership to UN Security Council by receiving 151 votes at the first round out of 192 countries.

Mentioning that Turkey will perform its duty within the years 2009-2010, Bagis said:

"Security Council will intervene in any possible dispute, conflict or a war in the world; decide to apply sanctions to problematic states, and apply economic embargos, political sanctions and military shipments. In the past, Turkey was a country, which had to obey these kinds of decisions; but now Turkey will place among these states determining these decisions on behalf of other countries. This means that 151 countries have an assurance in respect of Turkey's freedom, confidence in its foreign policy and objectivity. This also means that the regional and global intermediary role and political will of Turkey is appreciated and applauded."

Expressing that they do not have an expectation to be congratulated they deserved by opposition parties, Bagis said " The only thing they know is criticizing, defeatism, inspiring fear and making people's blood run cold. We, on the other hand, give endearment and hope."

EU POLICIES

Touching on Turkey's policies towards EU in his speech, Bagis stated that EU is a dream for Turkey since 1963 and AK Party makes it come true. Underlining that the negotiations process has been started after AK Party's coming into power, Bagis added "The previous political powers have beaten the air for 40 years. It is true that the negotiation process is long but we will not drag it out unlike the previous ones."

Having seen EU as "Turkey's dietician", Bagis mentioned that they will make Turkey more modern, contemporary and healthier by implementing the Copenhagen and Maastricht criteria, which is qualified as EU diet list.

Bagis noted that there is no country starting the negotiations and having not able to finalize it; and he added: "At the end of the negotiations, we can either become a member like Malta and Czech Republic or become a member after France's veto like England experienced or having finished the negotiations like Norway did, we can state that we do not want to become a member".