Sharing his assessment of the new distribution of seats in the European Parliament (EP) at his party's parliamentary group meeting yesterday, Erdoğan said the new distribution of seats would not allow changes to the fundamental policies and targets of the EU.
Noting that 27 countries had voted in the EP elections, Erdoğan said the elections resulted in a Christian Democrat victory throughout Europe. Stating that voter turnout was just 43 percent, Erdoğan pointed out that this was the lowest in the history of European elections. He said a number of political parties and leaders put their opposition to Turkey's EU accession at the center of their election campaigns, adding, “We are witnessing a picture after the elections that everyone interprets as negative in terms of Turkey's membership.”
However, the EU would never let the new EP steer the bloc away from its fundamental principles, he noted.
“We are continuing the EU process not with words, but with actions. This is how Turkey sees it. The membership criteria are there. Complying with promises, the principles and rules that have been established is the basis of the spirit of unity. Those who display behaviors that do not comply with this spirit, loyalty and pact, would, before anything else, take an approach contrary to the founding principles of the EU,” the prime minister said.
He also said Turkey's membership could not be an issue that could be overlooked by discussions about boundaries, noting that those who oppose Turkey's membership act as obstacles to the EU reaching a global vision. “Those who are concerned with saving themselves today will have to answer before history tomorrow,” he said.
Erdoğan also evaluated the outcome of the Lebanese polls, noting that the people of Lebanon had voiced their democratic preferences at the ballot. “As a country of peace, may they never go through what they went through in the past again. May they walk to the future in peace and calm,” he said.
Clearing mines along Syrian border
Prime Minister Erdoğan also commented on the controversial bill adopted earlier this month that regulates how land mines along the Turkish-Syrian border will cleared. The bill was passed after a long debate, as it allows foreign companies to demine the country's border with Syria. The opposition has decided to apply to the Constitutional Court for a reversal.
Erdoğan said Turkey must clear minefields along its borders by 2014 under the Ottawa Treaty. “If a mine explodes after the sweep, who will pay for this? Only, NAMSA [a NATO company] would. Our industrialists are also entering this. There are others from the Gulf countries who are interested. We would be happy, of course, if companies from our country were doing this. Syria has cleared its mines; why aren't we clearing ours?” he noted.
‘Not a single Deniz Feneri cent went to our party’
Erdoğan also responded to accusations that his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) had received funds illegally channeled to religious-minded companies in Turkey by the German-based Turkish charity Deniz Feneri, three of whose administrators were convicted of fraud earlier this year. “Not a cent has gone to our party's coffers from the Deniz Feneri case,” he said.
Erdoğan also responded to criticism that the government has turned the ongoing trial of suspected members of Ergenekon, a clandestine gang charged with plotting to overthrow the government, into a witch-hunt, saying: “This is a judicial process. We, as the executive, only fulfill the demands of the judiciary. We carry out these demands with all our security forces.”
He said if Italy could rid itself of shady formations inside the state mechanism, Turkey should also do so.
Erdoğan also responded to criticism that his party is working to undermine secularism. “I cannot allow my political party to be labeled as anti-secular,” he said.
 Famous Turkish architect Mimar Sinan was commemorated yesterday with an event at the Çankaya presidential palace. Turkish president downplays anti-Turkish statements in the EU In an indication of an attempt to overcome problems between Turkey and France in recent months, Turkish President Abdullah Gül on Tuesday downplayed the impact of anti-Turkish statements voiced by French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Turkish candidacy to the European Union. President Gül, who was harsh in criticizing Europe before, seems to have toned down his rhetoric and signaled a willingness to undertake initiatives for a possible rapprochement between the two countries. Politicians come and go, he said, stressing the importance of political goals set by the countries. Speaking at a reception held at Çankaya presidential palace, Gül said, “The important thing is to continue preparing the country for full EU membership.” Gül further noted that Turkey and France will launch a series of cultural events and programs to celebrate “Turkey Season in France” and introduce Turkish culture to French people. The season will start on July 1 and continue until March of next year. Turkey recently announced the expansion of activities to include over 40 cities with 400 programs. President Gül said yesterday he will travel to France to launch the opening of the season along with French President Sarkozy. Both the Turkish and French governments pitched in to finance the activities, which will run for nine months. Private donors also provided partial funding for the projects. Touching on the European Parliament elections in which the right-wing conservative parties claimed victory -- a sign that is seen as a rising anti-Turkish sentiment across Europe -- Gül said, “The important thing is to abide by the rules and legal precedents set in the course of relations between Turkey and the EU.” “People who voiced opposition to Turkey today might change their position later,” he said, dismissing anti-Turkish statements voiced by politicians. “What matters,” he said, “is the opinion of the Turkish and European public.” Both Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel recommend that Turkey be offered a privileged partnership instead of full EU membership, which Ankara strongly rejects. Abdullah Bozkurt Ankara |
Benzer Haberler 
National
