Erdogan: Turkey Puts Forward A New Renaissance Perspective To Inspire Everyone In The World

WASHINGTON D.C. - Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday, ''Turkey wants to be an active subject of the modern values system by further advancing its political Magna Carta based on a synthesis between its Muslim identity and modern values, and puts forward a new renaissance perspective to inspire everyone in the world.''
Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington D.C., Erdogan said, ''I came to the United States after holding a series of meetings with leaders of member countries to the European Union (EU).''
He expressed Turkey's gratitude to the United States for its support for Turkey's EU full membership process.
Noting that political stability had been settled in Turkey following the general elections on November 3, 2002, Erdogan said, ''people in Turkey and I have learned much in the last ten years. As you know, I was serving as mayor of Istanbul in 1994. I believe that I was successful in my position. Personally, I believe in virtue of moral values. At the same time, I appraise the true value of pluralism, diversity, and tolerance. In accordance with my beliefs, I determined my political ideals as democracy, freedom, tolerance, fundamental rights, secularism and political participation. I am aware of the fact that we should compete with the other countries of the world in regard to technological developments and democratic values. Therefore, I attribute great importance to the understanding of society and politics in the United States. My children's studying at universities in the United States is a great opportunity for them to learn about the structure of the United States. Meanwhile, my political views have been in a perpetual development. Of course, I have inspired from my predecessors. For instance, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk took under guarantee Turkey's sovereignty and freedom in a period of invasion of foreign countries. It is an unforgettable fact. Adnan Menderes established the structure of free and active society. Relations between Turkey and the United States accelerated during his term in office as the prime minister of Republic of Turkey.''
Highlighting importance of tolerance in their political view, Erdogan recalled that they had promised to guarantee rights of Christian churches to get real properties during their election campaigns.
Stressing that Turkey would fully integrate itself with the free economic community, Erdogan referred to the developments following the September 11 events saying, ''relations between Turkey and the United States have been improving on the basis of strategical partnership. The new government has confirmed the importance it attributed to the relations with the United States in its programme. Terrorism cannot be justified whatever its motive and style are. We should fight against terrorism, a violation of right to live. Adherents of three monotheistic faiths have been living together in peace in Turkey for centuries. As a result of our understanding of humanism and sufism, Turks have always assisted those who were exposed to pressure and atrocity. For instance, Turks granted Jewish refugees fleeing from regional pressure of the dark Middle Age, right of asylum in 1492. Turks have settled tolerance in a vast area from the Balkans to the Middle East and African countries for centuries. This history of the Turks includes universal values, and it is valid not only for Muslims and Christians, but for the whole world. This model is a democratic, secular and political order having equal stance to all faiths on the basis of individuals and the state.''
''I want to reiterate the response I gave to questions about our political party. People describe the AK Party as a Muslim and democrat political party. In fact, this description is not correct because the Islam and democracy should be taken up in different planes. Turkey wants to be an active subject of the modern values system by further advancing its political Magna Carta based on a synthesis between its Muslim identity and modern values, and puts forward a new renaissance perspective to inspire everyone in the world. As leader of a political party which got the highest vote in the general elections, I paid visits to the member countries to the EU in order to invite the whole world to this new renaissance,'' he emphasized.
Erdogan continued, ''when Turkey fully integrates itself with political, economic and military institutions of Europe, it will prove the whole world that the east and the west, the Christianity and the Islam can embrace each other, and maintain their presence in peace. As a result, peace, democracy, stability and harmony of civilizations will become the real mark of globalization.''
Referring to the EU adjustment laws in Turkey, Erdogan said, ''Turkey has recorded great progress to this end. We have prepared a package of adjustment laws providing re-trial process and pardoning university students from their disciplinary punishments. Also, important progress has been recorded in fight against torture. Our primary target is to make Turkey a country of freedoms in line with the highest standards in the EU. As a result of these arrangements, I mentioned earlier, Turkey has surpassed standards of some EU countries. Therefore, Turkey expects the EU to set a date at its Copenhagen Summit on December 12 to start accession talks with Turkey in 2003.''
''The EU's taking a decision not to set a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey under the influence of views defending that the Christianity lies beneath structure of the EU, will create disappointment not only in Turkey, but in all sections which are aware of the facts. A date to be set at Copenhagen Summit will remove the uncertainty in our relations with the EU. Turkey's EU membership will have positive impacts in strategical, political, economic and cultural aspects,'' he said.
Referring to the Cyprus question, Erdogan stressed that the question was not a pre-condition of Copenhagen criteria.
''The politics is not a tactic to suspend the problems, but an art of solving them. We are in favor of finding a solution to the Cyprus question through negotiations. We think that the solution plan of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan will lead to a lasting and fair solution after making the necessary changes in the plan. Therefore, a partnership state based on two sovereign founder states is envisaged. We have been encouraging the Turkish Cypriot side to hold negotiations. Rightful requests of the Turkish Cypriot side should not be ignored in the negotiations which are envisaged to be finalized on February 28. If United Nations Secretary General Annan calls on the sides to sign a frame agreement before this date, the sides should accept it. In that case, Turkey-Greece relations will be settled on the basis of a strategical agreement instead of a basis of strategical hostility. If the EU sets a date at its Copenhagen Summit for opening of accession talks with Turkey, it will also accelerate the efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus question. Otherwise, serious problems will emerge in the island,'' he said.
Referring to the issue of Iraq, Erdogan said, ''we want Iraq to integrate with the international community as soon as possible. In that case, a peaceful atmosphere will be settled in the region.''
Stressing that Turkey was one of the countries suffering the heaviest loss in the Gulf War, Erdogan said, ''therefore, we are opposed to developments which will drag Iraq into an atmosphere of instability.''
''Turkey and the United States should maintain their perpetual dialogue on the issue of Iraq in order to remove Turkey's concerns and to inform the United States on Turkey's views about Iraq. We attribute great importance to protection of Iraq's territorial integrity, unity and independence. Even rumors about a possible military operation against Iraq, affect Turkey's economy and tourism negatively. The United States should maintain its assistance for Turkey not because of the issue of Iraq, but because of the strategical relations between the two countries,'' he said.
''It is necessary to purify Iraq from the weapons of mass destruction in order to settle peace in the region and in the world. If Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and his administration refuse to abide by decisions of the international community, necessary reaction will be shown. If Iraqi leader Saddam continues to protect the formations jeopardizing peace in the world, Turkey will extend the necessary support for implementation of the latest resolution of the United Nations,'' he added.

ERDOGAN: ''IF THE EU DOES NOT ACCEPT TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP, WE WILL FIND ANOTHER WAY. WE CANNOT ENDURE ANY ATTITUDE AGAINST OUT NATIONAL HONOR''
Erdogan said, ''if the European Union (EU) does not accept Turkey's membership, we will find another way. We cannot endure any attitude against out national honor.''
After delivering a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington D.C., Erdogan responded to questions.
''During my visits to the member countries to the EU, I observed a weakness for honesty and sincerity. In an atmosphere where 80 percent of Turkish people is determined to become a full member of the EU, the basis was damaged. Turkey has been waiting for the EU full membership for four decades. The EU is about to accept countries which applied for full membership five or ten years ago. According to my point of view, the EU is not sincere in its decision not to set a date for opening of accession talks. The EU countries will have the responsibility of possible results of their decision on December 12.''
When asked, ''what will happen if the EU does not set a date at its Copenhagen Summit on December 12 for opening of accession talks with Turkey?'' Erdogan said, ''if the EU does not accept Turkey's membership, we will find another way. We cannot endure any attitude against our national honor.''
When asked whether or not he would visit Israel if he was invited, Erdogan said, ''the prime minister will take a decision on the issue. I do not rule the country.''
When asked whether or not there had been a difference of opinion between the AK Party and the Turkish Armed Forces on the issue of Iraq, Erdogan said, ''I am not the interlocutor of the General Staff now. The interlocutor is the prime minister. Any difference is out of question. We won't let any difference of opinion between the government and our political party. We set our policies through negotiations.''
Responding to a question, Erdogan said that he appreciated 8th President Turgut Ozal very much. Noting that Ozal opened Turkey and Turkish politics to the world despite his mistakes. He said he took that path as his principle.
Responding to another question, Erdogan said that Turkey does not have a minority concept and everybody meets in the common point of Turkish Republic, adding that ''they do not accept a nationalism which depends on region, race and religion.''
When Erdogan was recalled that 58 percent of Turkish public does not approve the actions of the United States in its fight against terrorism, he said that a hundred percent participation to everything cannot be expected, adding that if they say that people in Turkey adopt the policies of the United States, they deceive themselves. He said that but a joint fight platform was formed against terrorism in September 11 process. He added that Turkey and the United States have a ''natural alliance'' between themselves.
Upon a question about Turkey's relationship with Israel, Erdogan said that Turkey does not have any problems about this subject and added that Turkey is exerting efforts to establish strategical partnerships, not to produce enemies or rivals. He said that Turkey will continue to adopt the same sensitivity in its relations with neighbour countries.
Upon a question on Cyprus issue, Erdogan said that United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan on Cyprus had positive and also negative aspects and noted, ''we say that it must be negotiated. Mutual self-sacrifice is necessary. Sacrifice should not be expected only from Turkish Cypriot side. Both sides will show self-sacrifice and reach a consensus on the issue. Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides ignores this understanding with his second letter, including 17 pages. It is not right. We are ready to do what is necessary for negotiation.''
Stressing that Cyprus was not a precondition at Copenhagen summit, Erdogan said, ''we are in favor of negotiation. We do not accept the insolubility as solution. There is opportunity for a fair and permanent solution. Giving a negotiation date to Turkey will speed up the steps and facilitate a solution on Cyprus.''
Noting that they are in favor of integration in Europe, Erdogan said, ''but the culture of every society is a different richness. Compromise among civilizations brings integration. Those who have faith in their own values do not afraid of different values. We regard this as richness.''
Responding to a question on rights of Muslim minorities in China, Erdogan said that they support taking the rights of all minorities in the context of basic rights.
World media showed great interest in Erdogan's speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington D.C.. U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz also listened him. Following the conference, Erdogan and Wolfowitz had a brief talk following the conference.