BY ISMET BERKAN
RADIKAL- We would do well to consider the presidential election a closed matter. Some people like Gul, while others don't. Some people are happy that he'll be president, while others aren't. And so it will continue. This is a natural outcome of politicians becoming president. But it is clear that these discussions are to no one's advantage.
While discussing this issue since last month's general elections, Turkey has lost precious time. In fact, we have a great many real problems and challenging goals ahead. It's high time we started to discuss them.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to present his new Cabinet list to outgoing President Ahmet Necdet Sezer today, and the new government will take the reins with Sezer's approval.
Five years ago, when the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) won the fall 2002 elections and Abdullah Gul became prime minister (filling in for Erdogan, who cleared up his political ban early the next year), the AKP issued an urgent action plan. We should expect the same from the new government. Turkey's problems and priorities are clear, so if the new government doesn't declare how and when it will address the problems facing Turkey, the nation will lose years in everyday political squabbling rather than taking needed reforms.
The EU is at the top of Turkey's agenda. The new government should urgently declare that it will stick to the harmonization reform programs and that Turkish-EU relations, which have seemed stalled in recent years, should be reinvigorated.
An initiative should be developed for the Cyprus issue and an active stance should be taken to start negotiations between the two societies on the island.
The economy has been awaiting a series of small reforms for some time. Big projects such as the Commerce Law are also pending. Progressive steps should be taken in these areas with the direction of the government. Because Turkey should again take active economic measures which inspire confidence.
Radical changes are necessary on issues weighing down the budget such as social security reform. Moreover, encouraging registered employment through cutting taxes on employment will make it possible to ease adult vocational training.
Education may be the most important issue of this term. It's essential to take up the Higher Board of Education (YOK) thoroughly by reaching a compromise over the necessary constitutional amendment, but the government and the AKP's impositions would be as dangerous as the current system.
Another important aspect of education is education based on religion and vocational religious (iman hatip) high schools. Turkey should reduce the number of these schools while meeting the need with methods like selective certificate programs. It should raise educational standards, especially in public schools, especially by providing in-service training for teachers.
Another important matter is the Kurdish issue. The boost in the AKP's votes in eastern and southeastern Anatolia shouldn't make people think that this issue is being solved. The new government should handle this issue so as to marginalize separatist terror.
I think this is enough. Turkey should return to its real agenda as soon as possible. This is what I'm trying to say.