'History of Europe cannot be written without Turkey'

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has stated that the history of Europe cannot be written without Turkey and that Turkey will become a member of the European Union.

While speaking at AK Party's parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, the prime minister stated that 12 years ago, the EU did not want to accept Turkey as it was weak, but now the union does not want to accept Turkey because of its strength. "We will not ask for special treatment from the EU" said Davutoğlu, noting that the EU cannot become a global power without accepting Turkey. He added that Turkey will continue to proceed with its developments in all aspects despite attempts to cast a shadow to Turkey's success story.

Davutoğlu criticized Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and stated that speaking Kurdish will not divide Turkey, but will unite everyone who lives in the country and pledged that the AK Party will continue to embrace all citizens regardless of their background. He panned Bahçeli's rhetoric of nationalism for being narrow and stated that nationalism can only be possible by elevating the symbols of the country, referring to the Turkish flag.

He noted that the Turkish flag graces all AK Party meetings regardless of the region in Turkey, including the West and the East. "Nobody should try to give us a lesson in nationalism" said Davutoğlu, stating that those who want to give such lesson should first visit all regions in the country to wave the flag, implying that Bahçeli fails to appeal to the electorate in Turkey's southeast.

Davutoğlu stated that the AK Party does not only wave the Turkish flag in Turkey but it also brings it abroad. He noted that despite Bahçeli's criticism for Turkey's assistance to Somalia, Turkey has given 300 million dollars in aid to Somalia, where people are struck by poverty and deprivation.

"Turkey aims for a new Middle East based on unity and coexistence" said Davutoğlu, stating that Turkey is determined to promote brotherhood and support the struggle for democracy and stability in the region. He reiterated that Turkey will continue to work towards stopping the unlawful activities of the Gülen Movement throughout the world and will continue to spread the truth.