ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that there were decisions and steps which had to be taken in foreign policy, stating that Turkey was not in a period that was more difficult than the War of Liberation. Erdogan said they would overcome the problems with determination.
Erdogan spoke to journalists in Justice and Development Party (AK Party) headquarters.
Erdogan said Council of Ministers would convene on Monday.
Responding to a question, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''this economic situation is a difficulty we found when we come to ruling. We believe that we will overcome this with determination.''
When asked about change in the cabinet, Erdogan said this was not the government of a different party, stating that they earlier announced their action plans, and that those would continue.
Erdogan said they wished to continue increasingly the success they gained in foreign and domestic policy, and noted that, ''there are steps and decisions which we have to take in foreign policy. First of all, we should provide national unity in this period. I believe that we need national unity more than ever. Media has important responsibilities in this respect.''
Responding to a question, Erdogan said they came to assignment to overcome hopelessness, and noted that, ''nation found the stability and confidence in us.''
Asked when the motion would be brought to the Parliament, Erdogan said Council of Ministers would convene on Monday, and that government program would be read out in the Parliament afterwards. He said consultation process and vote of confidence would also take place.
When asked whether or not the motion would be brought before or after vote of confidence, Erdogan said, ''all of them will take place after vote of confidence.''
Responding to a question whether or not a legal change would be necessary for the United States to use Turkey's air space in case of a possible action, Erdogan said Parliament was authorized on the issue, and that this could not take place in case the Parliament does not allow it.
When asked if there would be any changes in their policies pertaining to European Union (EU), Erdogan said they would continue the same method and discipline.
Erdogan said, ''I earlier disclosed. Whether or not EU accepts us, we will implement the Copenhagen criteria to increase living standards of our people. We only make those arrangements to upgrade the level of living standards of our people.''
ERDOGAN: A RADICAL CHANGE IN CABINET WILL BE WRONG AND SELF-DENIAL
Erdogan told reporters that they were a good government and a government formed by one party.
They had had continuos communication with Abdullah Gul, the Prime Minister of the 58th government, for four months, Erdogan said.
Thanking not only Gul but also his other friends for a very good administration and a good period despite some problems, Erdogan said that the same team would continue their initiatives seriously and sincerely.
Erdogan noted that it would be wrong and self-denial to make a radical change in the cabinet.
''As you see, there are a few changes in the cabinet. We are uniting culture and tourism ministries. Our friends are working on this. We are also uniting forestry and environment ministries. We wanted to appoint Kursad Tuzmen as the Environment Minister but he will continue to be the State Minister for Foreign Trade. Tourism Minister Guldal Aksit will be State Minister for the disabled, Directorate General of Social Services, and women and family,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan noted that they wanted to increase efforts regarding women and family and such arrangements could be settled in a week or ten days.
Asked if President Ahmet Necdet Sezer made a suggestion about the cabinet, Erdogan said, ''no. Mr. President invited us to the Cankaya Palace on Tuesday and designated me to form the government. Then, I started to work and the final list was prepared. I sent the list to the President. Then, the President invited us and our list was approved.''
Erdogan said that the new period would be the period of investments.
Asked how he evaluated the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) about Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, Erdogan said, ''the concerned ministries made the necessary statement. But, I can say that I had applied to the court before his application but a decision has not come out yet. The decision regarding the head of the terrorist organization came out of the court earlier although this application was made after my application. Therefore, it is political.''
When asked if he would give up his case in ECHR, Erdogan said, ''I can't say anything definite but I can abandon. Because, I applied to the court almost three years ago. Waiting for the decision is meaningless. I will consult to my lawyers.''
(BRC-AY) 15.03.2003