New period to render Turkey more democratic, modern and powerful
As expected, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was re-elected as the chairman of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) at the party's emergency congress on May 21. The constitutional amendments introduced with the April 16 referendum are now being implemented one by one.
Turkey is elated, hopeful and it celebrated two joyful events on May 21. Along with Fenerbahçe winning the Euroleague title, President Erdoğan's messages he gave in his acceptance speech spirited the Turkish people.
"This congress is the AK Party's rebirth. The AK Party is not just a party for its voters, it's a party for all of our 80 million citizens. I know that there is no Turkish citizen whose heart the AK Party cannot appeal to as long as we know how to address them. No one should feel like an ‘other.' No one should consider their freedom under threat. No one should be hopeless about their future. In this country, every individual is a first-class citizen. We cannot expect everyone to like us, but we have the right to expect everyone to listen to us, try to understand us, and contribute to us if possible. Because we do not rule the 80 million, we serve them. This is our difference," President Erdoğan said in his speech.
Meanwhile, Erdoğan underscored that he is determined to embrace all the citizens of the Turkish Republic while stressing the vitality of democracy for peace and stability. He also reiterated Turkey's determined anti-terror fight.
Stating that the fight against terror groups, including the PKK and the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), will be maintained until they are dissolved, he remarked, "As we are purified from the venom of the terrorist groups such as FETÖ, the PKK and Daesh, I believe that our position in foreign politics will settle on a healthier ground."
He also stated his belief that the problems Turkey has, due to the absence of cooperation, with the EU and the U.S. will come to an end. More importantly, he addressed the EU, telling them to make a clear decision about Turkey's membership process.
"The EU membership process has come to an impasse due to the hypocritical attitude of the union. We will never allow anyone in this country to be degraded, alienated or punished because of their differences. Our youth must especially have no hesitation regarding their freedoms. They will not experience what the previous generations went through. Democracy is rendered not through words, but through actions. We no longer have to put up with the EU's hypocritical behavior, which disregards our country's dignity. Despite it all, our choice is to walk on with the EU but the EU will make the decision," Erdoğan said, guaranteeing that Turkey will determinedly progress toward adopting EU values.
Several European Parliament members and journalists I met in Brussels and Germany over the last couple of weeks do not believe that Turkey is interested in EU membership. They insisted that President Erdoğan wanted to cut ties with the union.
Erasing such doubts on May 21, Erdoğan openly announced Turkey's wishes regarding the EU to the international community. The "New Turkey" is determined to follow the path to EU membership. Of course, this situation does not necessarily mean that Turkey will not consider other possibilities.
Turkey also wants to take all the required steps to improve relations with the U.S., Russia, China, India and Arab countries.
"The visits we have paid in the last month are enough to demonstrate that there is a much bigger world waiting ahead of Turkey," Erdoğan said.
The EU should meticulously analyze the messages issued by President Erdoğan.
The congress on May 21 sealed the beginning of the changes introduced in the April 16 referendum. Turkey is resolute in its goal to become a more social, democratic, modern and powerful country. If the EU turns its back on the New Turkey, then it is showing that it refuses to understand the new world. Developing good relations with the new Turkey will also favor the EU. Trying to discredit Turkey's democratic reforms will only undermine them. As Erdoğan says, there is a whole wide world waiting ahead of Turkey. The EU will be included in this world if they wish, which would favor both sides.
Turkey is elated, hopeful and it celebrated two joyful events on May 21. Along with Fenerbahçe winning the Euroleague title, President Erdoğan's messages he gave in his acceptance speech spirited the Turkish people.
"This congress is the AK Party's rebirth. The AK Party is not just a party for its voters, it's a party for all of our 80 million citizens. I know that there is no Turkish citizen whose heart the AK Party cannot appeal to as long as we know how to address them. No one should feel like an ‘other.' No one should consider their freedom under threat. No one should be hopeless about their future. In this country, every individual is a first-class citizen. We cannot expect everyone to like us, but we have the right to expect everyone to listen to us, try to understand us, and contribute to us if possible. Because we do not rule the 80 million, we serve them. This is our difference," President Erdoğan said in his speech.
Meanwhile, Erdoğan underscored that he is determined to embrace all the citizens of the Turkish Republic while stressing the vitality of democracy for peace and stability. He also reiterated Turkey's determined anti-terror fight.
Stating that the fight against terror groups, including the PKK and the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), will be maintained until they are dissolved, he remarked, "As we are purified from the venom of the terrorist groups such as FETÖ, the PKK and Daesh, I believe that our position in foreign politics will settle on a healthier ground."
He also stated his belief that the problems Turkey has, due to the absence of cooperation, with the EU and the U.S. will come to an end. More importantly, he addressed the EU, telling them to make a clear decision about Turkey's membership process.
"The EU membership process has come to an impasse due to the hypocritical attitude of the union. We will never allow anyone in this country to be degraded, alienated or punished because of their differences. Our youth must especially have no hesitation regarding their freedoms. They will not experience what the previous generations went through. Democracy is rendered not through words, but through actions. We no longer have to put up with the EU's hypocritical behavior, which disregards our country's dignity. Despite it all, our choice is to walk on with the EU but the EU will make the decision," Erdoğan said, guaranteeing that Turkey will determinedly progress toward adopting EU values.
Several European Parliament members and journalists I met in Brussels and Germany over the last couple of weeks do not believe that Turkey is interested in EU membership. They insisted that President Erdoğan wanted to cut ties with the union.
Erasing such doubts on May 21, Erdoğan openly announced Turkey's wishes regarding the EU to the international community. The "New Turkey" is determined to follow the path to EU membership. Of course, this situation does not necessarily mean that Turkey will not consider other possibilities.
Turkey also wants to take all the required steps to improve relations with the U.S., Russia, China, India and Arab countries.
"The visits we have paid in the last month are enough to demonstrate that there is a much bigger world waiting ahead of Turkey," Erdoğan said.
The EU should meticulously analyze the messages issued by President Erdoğan.
The congress on May 21 sealed the beginning of the changes introduced in the April 16 referendum. Turkey is resolute in its goal to become a more social, democratic, modern and powerful country. If the EU turns its back on the New Turkey, then it is showing that it refuses to understand the new world. Developing good relations with the new Turkey will also favor the EU. Trying to discredit Turkey's democratic reforms will only undermine them. As Erdoğan says, there is a whole wide world waiting ahead of Turkey. The EU will be included in this world if they wish, which would favor both sides.