ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkey's European Union (EU) target was a natural outcome of Turkish Republic's ideal to reach the level of contemporary civilizations.
Addressing the gathering of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) at the parliament, Erdogan said, ''EU target is not a process which will harm basic principles of our Republic, as thought by some circles. On the contrary, it is a natural outcome of the contemporary civilization understanding of our Republic.''
Erdogan said, ''this nation has adopted democracy despite some interruptions in its history, and believed that problems can only be resolved in a democratic order. Everybody should give up nonconfidence in democratic processes. Nobody should try to guard democracy because this society is democratic, and they don't need anybody to guard the democracy.''
Recalling that general election was held on November 3rd, 2002, Erdogan said, ''we are still as excited as we were that day. And today, people have regained their confidence in the state and politics. But, we still have so much work to do.''
Referring to transfer of hospitals under umbrella of Social Security Agency (SSK) to the Health Ministry, Erdogan said that with this transfer, corruption would be eliminated in health sector.
Erdogan noted that every citizen would have social security rights, and listed education, health and security among the leading fundamental rights.
(BRC-AÖ) 02.11.2004