Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday Turkey very closely monitored developments in the Middle East as it shared a common history and culture with the region.
In an exclusive interview with German "Rheinische Post", Erdogan said Turkey wanted a lasting peace and democracy to be restored in the region.
"From the very beginning Turkey has clearly stated this. It is very important that rightful expectations of people should be considered and that the process should continue without resorting to violence. A permanent peace and stability can take place by guaranteeing security of people. This can only be possible by respecting fundamental freedoms and rights of the people," Erdogan said.
Erdogan said discussions were underway in international media whether Turkey could be a role model for Arab countries, adding that, "I believe Turkey can be a source of inspiration rather than a model for Arab countries. Although those countries are neighbors and they share common history, culture and traditions, social formations of each country are different. To this end, it will not be realistic to expect that a specific model can be used for all regional countries."
Erdogan said Turkey would support reform efforts of the countries in the region and share its experiences, and underlined that Turkey showed that democracy, modernism and Islam can exist together. He said Turkey, as a part of Europe, is a member of many European organizations and at the same time have rooted cultural, religious and historical ties with the countries of the Middle East.
Erdogan said Turkey was resolved to continue EU membership process: "This is approved in the 2010 Progress Report of the European Commission. EU membership negotiations are slowed down only because of political reasons."
Referring to Turkey’s statements that it was not treated equally when compared to some EU member countries, Erdogan said, "course of the membership creates an impression of discrimination. We are treated the same with countries that do not have any EU perspective. The best example of this is seen in visa policy. Although EU member countries impose strict visa procedures to Turkey, citizens of Balkan countries which even do not have membership status are exempted from visa requirements."
Erdogan said no progress could be recorded on 18 Chapter headings in membership negotiations because of political ideas. He said no candidate country has so far met with such political hindrances. "Actually the EU had to assume a stance encouraging Turkey," he said.
Asked if he discussed "privileged partnership" proposal with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Erdogan said privileged partnership was not included in EU regulation, underlining that negotiations carried out with full membership target.
Erdogan said Turkey’s strategic importance for the EU gradually increased, "Turkey pursues a multilateral foreign policy. The impressions that visits focused on Islamic countries are wrong."