Ak Party Does Not Have Any Connection With Denominational Vision

BERLIN - Avni Dogan, a deputy of the Justice and Development Party and a member of the Parliamentary Commission to Investigate Problems of Citizens Living Abroad, said on Friday that AK Party did not have any connection with Denominational Vision.
AK Party deputies Dogan and Muharrem Candan and Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Memduh Hacioglu came to German capital Berlin.
Dogan told reporters that members of the commission paid visits to several European countries to learn and solve problems of Turkish citizens living abroad.
''We are entering a stable era in Turkey. Turkey is getting prepared for European union (EU). In fact, a country which has 4 million citizens who have joined EU should priorly solve problems of those citizens. We are trying to do this,'' Dogan said.
When he was recalled that Hacioglu, who accompanied them, returned back to Turkey immediately as he came to Berlin, Dogan said, ''he said that he returned upon request of CHP leader. We have come to Germany to meet with Turkish associations which are invited to receptions or similar organizations by the Foreign Ministry and consulates. We don't pay a special visit to any association. But, they have a problem with non-invitation of some associations. He said so.''
Dogan went on saying, ''AK Party doesn't have any connection with Denominational Vision. There is a party in Turkey which has connection with Denominational Vision. AK Party believes that the 21st century is not the century of ideologies. We believe that it is the century of a society with open democracy. I would like to say that Copenhagen criteria will be met in Turkish Republic whether some minorities want it or not. Turkish Republic will be a democratic republic. This is the requirement of this age. Nobody can stop this development.''
''We don't know who are invited to the meeting. Turkey has representatives, embassy and consulates here. They can call every association when necessary and we will meet them. The letter sent by the Commission to embassies say that members will meet Turkish organizations which are not involved in terrorism,'' Dogan added.
Dogan and Candan met with members of Solidarity Board of Turks Living Abroad namely Bahattin Kaya, Tacettin Yatkin and Murat Turan and later had a meeting with Parliament Speaker Walter Pomber in Berlin State Parliament.
Meanwhile, AK Party deputy Mustafa Bas, also acting as the chairman of the commission, and another AK Party deputy Ahmet Yaser went to Cologne.
(BRC-AÖ) 31.10.2003