Turkish people are an essential part of Europe, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said late on Saturday in his address to the nation. Ahead of his Sunday visits to the western provinces of Afyon and Denizli to attend the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) provincial congresses, Davutoğlu addressed the nation and expatriates in his "On the Path to a New Turkey" speech televised on Saturday. "European history cannot be written without Turkish archives. And its future will not be written without us either," he said.He touched on the obstacles blocking Turkey's EU bid and said that those adopting anti-Muslim and anti-Turkish stances would not be able to overshadow either the historical realities or Turkey's willpower. He stressed that Turkey embraces all ethnicities, languages, and religions including Christianity, Judaism, Islam including Sunnis and Alevis as well as Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Balkans and Caucasians. He reiterated that he had met with religious representatives of Alevis and non-Muslims earlier this month and that they exchanged views on the common cultural riches of Turkey."This land is a place that inspires mercy," he stressed. Referring to the recent massacre in Paris at the Charlie Hebdo offices and a kosher market that killed 17 people, Davutoğlu said: "When we were walking together in Paris with all the world leaders, our aim was to show that no terror act around the world could be identified with Islam … But we will also not remain silent over any type of insult against the Prophet Muhammad." Highlighting Turkey's pledge to fight terrorism, he said that the country has never tolerated terrorist acts and never intended to do so. He also spoke about his attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos as the holder of this term's presidency of the G20. Turkey assumed the G20 presidency on December 1. The first G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Deputy Governors' level meeting will be held in Istanbul on February 8-9."Turkey, with the G20 presidency, will be a bridge to justice between the least and most developed countries," Davutoğlu said. "If there will ever be an international peace and tranquility, and brotherhood for humanity, the magic word is 'justice.' "Justice and mercy go hand in hand, he stressed, and said the country's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), is a great success story for Turkey. "AFAD shows our mercy all across the world," he said, voicing gratitude for the institution, which he said has become one of the leading aid organizations in the world.He said these are all signs of Turkey's turning into a global power and that they will be noticed first within the country and later in Europe, Asia, Africa and all around the world. Before his address to the nation, Davutoğlu traveled to the western province of İzmir and announced that the Office of the Prime Minister will open its third branch in İzmir, the city with the third-largest population. He made the announcement while speaking at the AK Party's Fifth General Congress in İzmir and emphasized the significance and true meaning of the Republic and defending republican values. He said: "The basis of the Republic is the people," and referring to opposition parties, Davutoğlu added that those who are alienated from the people and unable to embrace the nation as a whole cannot claim to be republicans. Davutoğlu also questioned the rhetoric of what he called fabricated republicanism promoted by opposition parties and said: "If you truly want to be republicans then you must respect the national will and democratically elected government," as he alluded to the February 28, 1997 postmodern coup and said that those who carried out the coup and intimidated people for their outer appearance and ideologies became members of the Republican People's Party (CHP). He underlined once again that democratically elected governments are an inseparable part of a stable democratic political system and pledged that the AK Party will continue to uphold this value.