Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

ANKARA: Gul points to stronger democracy for resolution of problems

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • ANKARA: Gul points to stronger democracy for resolution of problems

    Today's Zaman

    03 October 2009, Saturday

    Gül points to stronger democracy for resolution of problems

    President Gül commented on recent developments in Turkey and
    the world during his flight to Azerbaijan on Friday. Today's Zaman
    columnist Abdülhamit Bilici was among the reporters who
    accompanied the president.
    President Gül commented on recent developments in Turkey and
    the world during his flight to Azerbaijan on Friday. Today's Zaman
    columnist Abdülhamit Bilici was among the reporters who
    accompanied the president.
    President Abdullah Gül has said the improvement of Turkey's
    democratic standards will solve all of the country's current problems.
    `A higher level of democracy is the solution to all problems. Without
    the need to define them as problems of religion or ethnicity, our
    problems will be solved if we raise our democratic standards. We can
    settle any problems of Kurdish, Alevi and religious citizens through
    democracy without being obliged to name those problems,' the president
    told reporters on Friday during his flight to Azerbaijan to attend the
    ninth meeting of the Turkic-speaking Countries Cooperation Council.

    Gül referred to democracy and the rule of law as the two most
    important values of the contemporary world.

    The president also clarified remarks made during a speech he delivered
    on Thursday in Parliament in which he called for more respect for
    differences in society. `When I say respect for differences, I am not
    just pointing to ethnic and sectarian ones. I am also pointing to
    political ones,' he remarked.

    Asked about the attendance of military officers during his
    parliamentary address, Gül expressed full confidence in the
    Turkish military and noted that he states his views freely when he
    meets with members of the military.

    The president was also asked a question about the recent elections in
    Germany. Most observers have said the new German government will lend
    less support to Turkey's bid to join the European Union. `We all know
    the EU standards and in which areas we need
    make these improvements, then Turkey's outlook will change, which will
    result in a change in the views of France and Germany toward our
    country,' he noted.

    The president also expressed hope that his Armenian counterpart will
    visit Turkey this month for a World Cup soccer qualifier between
    Turkey and Armenia.

    `We went to Yerevan without making any conditions. What is important
    here is sports and gentlemanliness. It is clear that the status quo in
    the Caucasus is of no benefit to anyone,' Gül stated.

    03 October 2009, Saturday
    ABDÃ`LHAMIT BILICI NAKHCEVAN
Working...
X