ID :
166511
Tue, 03/08/2011 - 11:41
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/166511
The shortlink copeid
Turkish diplomat says Turkey may be an inspiration for Middle Eastern countries
-WASHINGTON (A.A) - Turkey's top diplomat in Washington has said his country was unique in the Muslim world to have a parliamentary system, a secular regime and a functioning free market, adding that the country might be an inspiration for Middle Eastern countries.
"Turkey is in no position to impose anything on the countries of the Middle East. But it can be an inspiration for them," Namik Tan, the Turkish ambassador in Washington, told a panel discussion on Monday at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Tan said recent political developments in the Middle East had shown the importance of peoples' political demands and their right to speak for themselves, adding, however, that they also raised questions whether Islam and democracy could live together.
"Turkey is the full evidence that modernism, Islam and democracy can exist side by side," Tan said.
Tan said Turkey has always had close relations with its immediate region, adding that Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize Israel and Palestine as well as to open first diplomatic missions in Central Asian republics at the turn of 1990s.
"Turkey is located in a region with the most challenging problems in the world. That is why Turkey, in its quest for peace and stability, cannot turn a blind eye on issues at its door step," he said.
"Turkey is in no position to impose anything on the countries of the Middle East. But it can be an inspiration for them," Namik Tan, the Turkish ambassador in Washington, told a panel discussion on Monday at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Tan said recent political developments in the Middle East had shown the importance of peoples' political demands and their right to speak for themselves, adding, however, that they also raised questions whether Islam and democracy could live together.
"Turkey is the full evidence that modernism, Islam and democracy can exist side by side," Tan said.
Tan said Turkey has always had close relations with its immediate region, adding that Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize Israel and Palestine as well as to open first diplomatic missions in Central Asian republics at the turn of 1990s.
"Turkey is located in a region with the most challenging problems in the world. That is why Turkey, in its quest for peace and stability, cannot turn a blind eye on issues at its door step," he said.
