Turkish president calls on lawmakers to take oath and fulfill political responsibility

SOFIA (A.A) - July 11, 2011 - The Turkish president said on Sunday that deputies from Turkey's two opposition parties, who did not attend the swearing-in ceremony at the parliament, should take oath and fulfill their political responsibilities.
During a gathering with reporters in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, Turkish President Abdullah Gul commented on the latest developments on Turkey's agenda.
Regarding the oath-taking crisis at the Turkish parliament, Gul said the crisis over detained deputies could be resolved by means of law.
Pointing to Republican People's Party (CHP) and Peace & Democracy Party (BDP) deputies' boycotting the parliament, Gul said, "If their intention was to attract attention, they have managed it. Talks have been held on the issue and good intentions have been expressed. Before it is much later, deputies should take oath tomorrow (today), fulfill their political responsibilities and begin working actively at the parliament".
"If things get delayed, the situation will become more complicated and such attitude will take the political parties captive," he also said. 
Commenting on the new constitution, Gul noted that the Kurdish issue should be assessed in a realistic way while preparing Turkey's new constitution.
The president said the process should be concluded by the help of a common understanding seeing every citizen as a child of this country, as well as democratic, legal and universal values.
Regarding Turkey's relations with its neighbors, Gul said, "If you don't have good relations with your neighbors, then it will be like living on a one-way street".
Pointing to the 1.5 million Turkish-origin people living in Bulgaria, Gul said relations between Turkey and Bulgaria were beyond neighborhood.
The president said Turkey attached great importance to its cooperation with Bulgaria in the field of energy, noting that the Nabucco project concerned both countries.
Upon a question on the latest developments in Syria, Gul said Turkey desired to help Syria with its transformation process.
Describing Turkey's approach to Syria as an "engagement policy", Gul said Turkey desired to share its experience with Syria without intervening in the country's domestic affairs.
Commenting on the latest tripartite summit held in Geneva on Cyprus issue, the Turkish president said he hoped the Geneva summit would be a turning point in Cyprus peace talks.
Gul also said that he hoped the Greek cypriot party would act with a positive and constructive manner and would not display tactical moves in an effort to extend the process over a period of time.