HURRIYET- Columnist Oktay Eksi comments on some recent statements on Turkey made by officials in the United States and Great Britain. A summary of his column is as follows:
‘In their relations with Turkey, the European Union countries have chosen to focus on Turkey’s current situation without taking into account the long, hard path the Turkish nation has braved, a path which has always been beset with difficulties and problems for the entire nation. Turkey has managed to continue developing despite its economic problems and thus is a shining example for the Muslim world. Turkey has shown the whole world that religious beliefs need not be sacrificed in the name of modern, secular values and democratic institutions. Turkey gives the lie to people who argue that modern values are incompatible with religious ones.’
These are not the words of some Turkish official. In fact, US Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said the above last week in a speech to a World Affairs Council meeting in California.
Moreover, this statement neatly coincided with a recent report entitled ‘Turkey and the European Union’ prepared by the British House of Commons’ Foreign Relations Commission. Here is how the report described Turkey and its current situation:
‘Turkey is a great regional power and the only Muslim country which enjoys a secular, democratic system. There are certain obstacles to Turkey’s bid for EU membership such as deficiencies in human rights and democratization, the Cyprus problem and its economic crisis.’
Before commenting on the above-mentioned words, let me also quote a statement from Donald Anderson, the commission’s chairman:
‘We understand and appreciate both Turkey’s emphasis on secularism and the importance of its territorial integrity and its fight against separatist groups.’
As you see, there are some officials outside our borders who see Turkey’s current situation in a more positive light than certain pessimistic groups within our country. These words are worth lending an ear to because they don’t come from people who love this country for the money they make or for the power they wield.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION