STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY BY EGEMEN BAGIS

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator released a written statement on the occasion of International Day of Democracy.

In his statement, Bagis delivered the following:

On 15 September, which was declared as the International Day of Democracy in 2007, we would like once again to express our determination to achieve an advanced democracy and our wish for a world in which the understanding prevails that people are ensured their rights and granted their demands to the utmost level by their governments.

On the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, we once again reject a mentality which treats citizens demanding their rights and freedoms violently and brutally kills innocent civilians. We hope that the days when humankind will be free of this accursed mentality are near. A government which does not respond to but violently represses the demands of its people can neither be legitimate nor long-lived.

On the other hand, no form of thinking can legitimize the freedom to revile that which others hold sacred. Within this context, the international community should explicitly adopt a definite stance against the provocative film which is the product of a perverted and malignant mentality. We would also like to sincerely express a warning regarding this matter. It is crucial that the reactions against this film remain rooted in legitimate grounds and care is taken to avoid violence.

On International Democracy Day, I feel that I must especially remind you of this fact. The idea that Islam and democracy cannot coexist, which is always being put forth, must definitely be rejected and the Islamic world must act with sensitivity in order not to fall into this trap. Turkey as a secular, democratic and social state, the majority of whose population is Muslim, challenges this malignant idea and carries this challenge even further with its determination in the EU accession process.

There have been various currents in Turkey’s democratic history. Prior to the preceding decade, frequent interruptions in the functioning of democracy in Turkey unfortunately became the fate of our people, and as a result, significant progress could not be achieved in the EU accession process of our country for over more than 40 years.

As the AK Party Government, we have been fully determined to advance the standards democracy in our country and to attain our target of an advanced democracy on a foundation of stability and confidence since the first day of our government. As a result of our determination, achieving in two years what had not been achieved in 45 years, we fulfilled the Copenhagen Criteria and were given a date for starting accession negotiations by the EU on December 17, 2004. Even though we are not at the point we desire or deserve to be in these negotiations which started on October 3, 2005, due to the political obstacles, Turkey has clearly demonstrated a better performance than many EU member states as a result of its determination to carry out reforms and achieve advanced democracy.

The reforms we have carried out in the last decade have also had a positive impact on the image of our country in the international arena and Turkey has strengthened its role as a dynamic, prestigious and influential country.

There is no doubt that one of the most significant and essential elements for advancing democracy in a country is the strengthening of civil society. To that end, the Ministry for EU Affairs works in close cooperation with non-governmental organizations and supports these in various programs through the “Civil Society Dialogue Program” which has been implemented since 2008.

In the third pillar of the Civil Society Dialogue program, which will start in the forthcoming days, grants will be given to the projects of civil society organizations in the fields of democracy and rule of law in order to strengthen the civil society dialogue in the areas of the “political criteria” and “media”.

Through these projects, we aim to increase the institutional capacity of the non-governmental organizations which have an important role for the development of democracy in Turkey. Our aim is to exchange information and experiences with EU member states in the field of democracy and the rule of law while increasing mutual understanding and interaction through cooperation and dialogue.

Furthermore, this program, which has a budget of 6 million Euros, will also provide support for future projects in the areas of increasing awareness regarding human rights, the human rights of asylum seekers and immigrants, prevention of discrimination against socially vulnerable groups, freedom of expression, the dialogue between cultures, religions and different beliefs, political culture and democratic participation, and the judicial system.

I would like to once more extend my congratulations to you on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy. I would also like to state that we will continue the reform process with determination to attain the standards of advanced democracy in Turkey.