PRESIDENT SEZER: ``TURKISH DELEGATION HEADED BY INONU WON A HISTORIC VICTORY IN LAUSANNE``
ISTANBUL - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Thursday that the Turkish delegation headed by Ismet Inonu had defended the Turkish nation`s interests with determination in line with the parliament`s decisions, and they had not only signed an agreement document, but also recorded a real historical victory in Lausanne which became scene of war of diplomacy.
Making opening remarks of a meeting held at the Istanbul University to mark the 80th Anniversary of Signing of the Lausanne Treaty, President Sezer said, ``this year, we will celebrate the eightieth anniversary of foundation of our Republic, and this year is also the eightieth anniversary of the signing of the Lausanne Treaty which is an important document not only in Turkey`s history, but also in the history of the world.``
Noting that the treaty should be assessed in detail during the meeting, the President said that the meeting would contribute to efforts to put forward the historical facts in the light of the conditions in Turkey and in the world in the time of signature and to explain the foundation philosophy of the Republic to the public opinion.
President Sezer said that he commemorated with respect the parliamentarians headed by Ismet Inonu and especially Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey in the 80th anniversary of the Lausanne Treaty.
Recalling that the Lausanne talks had ended on July 24, President Sezer said that the Turkish delegation headed by Ismet Inonu had defended the Turkish nation`s interests with determination in line with the parliament`s decisions, and they had not only signed an agreement document but also recorded a real historic victory in Lausanne which became scene of war of diplomacy.
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President Sezer said that the basic philosophy of the young Turkish state under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was pacifism, modernity and development.
``This philosophy excludes adventurism, expansionism, and revenge in international relations. This philosophy was adopted by the Turkish delegation during Lausanne negotiations. They were realistic, not dreamers. They protected the principle of full independence and they tried to achieve the most within the borders of realism,`` President Sezer said.
The new administration method in which sovereignty belonged to the nation without any conditions, gave the right to be individual to everybody who lived within the Turkish Republic, Sezer said.
``The Turkish nation will benefit from all the opportunities presented by the modern world to humanity without giving concessions from its understanding of independence and without forgetting its national history and values,`` Sezer said.
Noting that adaptation of Ataturk`s understanding of ``peace at home, peace in the world,`` as a principle lied on the basis of the 80-year success of the Turkish Republic, President Sezer said that strong balances were set up around Turkey when Lausanne Treaty entered into force and Turkey developed broad relations with its neighbours and European countries. These relations turned into regional cooperation plans and alliances in short period of time, he added.
``Lausanne Treaty reflects the historical preference of the Turkish Republic to take part in the western world,`` Sezer said, adding that ``EU norms are requirements of modernity and they are in harmony with the goal of Ataturk to reach the modern civilization level...Turkish Republic will continue to launch efforts to reach its goals without giving concessions from basic principles, independence and territorial integrity as also covered by Lausanne Treaty.``
Sezer added that Lausanne Treaty constituted the main basis of the Turkish foreign policy.
(Öª) 24.07.2003