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TURKISH FM ADDRESSES US THINK TANK IN WASHINGTON
Today's Zaman
June 4 2008
Turkey
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan delivered a speech on Tuesday at the
Atlantic Council, a US think tank.
Responding to a question on a lawsuit seeking to close the ruling
Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Babacan said the court's
decision would be final.
"The Constitutional Court is assessing the case. But when dealing
with this issue, principles such as the separation of powers and the
independence of the judiciary should be preserved. Whatever the court
says, whether we like it or not, it would be the final decision and
needs to be complied with," Babacan said.
"When speaking about the nature of the Republic of Turkey, I describe
it as a democratic, secular and social country governed by the rule
of law. Turkey is a country that embraces all these values," he said.
Babacan also said the Turkish government had always acted on a strong
ground of legal and international legitimacy.
Speaking on Turkey's relations with its neighbors, Babacan said his
government followed a policy of "zero problems," meaning reducing
disputes with neighboring countries to zero.
"Turkey has had bad relations with Syria for decades but instead of
isolating Syria, Turkey chose to develop a policy of dialogue. We
have been able to make Syria a part of the solution by talking more,"
Babacan said. "Syria has more confidence in Turkey."
Babacan also noted that Turkey had been exerting efforts to normalize
its relations with Armenia as well.
Today's Zaman
June 4 2008
Turkey
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan delivered a speech on Tuesday at the
Atlantic Council, a US think tank.
Responding to a question on a lawsuit seeking to close the ruling
Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Babacan said the court's
decision would be final.
"The Constitutional Court is assessing the case. But when dealing
with this issue, principles such as the separation of powers and the
independence of the judiciary should be preserved. Whatever the court
says, whether we like it or not, it would be the final decision and
needs to be complied with," Babacan said.
"When speaking about the nature of the Republic of Turkey, I describe
it as a democratic, secular and social country governed by the rule
of law. Turkey is a country that embraces all these values," he said.
Babacan also said the Turkish government had always acted on a strong
ground of legal and international legitimacy.
Speaking on Turkey's relations with its neighbors, Babacan said his
government followed a policy of "zero problems," meaning reducing
disputes with neighboring countries to zero.
"Turkey has had bad relations with Syria for decades but instead of
isolating Syria, Turkey chose to develop a policy of dialogue. We
have been able to make Syria a part of the solution by talking more,"
Babacan said. "Syria has more confidence in Turkey."
Babacan also noted that Turkey had been exerting efforts to normalize
its relations with Armenia as well.