ID :
198273
Sun, 07/31/2011 - 01:38
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/198273
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Turkish PM Erdogan addresses the nation on new constitution, economy, terrorism
ANKARA (A.A) - July 30, 2011 - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Turkey would replace its constitution with a comprehensive, pluralistic, liberating and integrating one.
"Turkey cannot proceed on its way with a constitution written under extraordinary conditions when Turkish democracy was suspended. The outcome of June 12 elections proved that the new constitution should be drafted with the largest participation possible and it should be a text of consensus which would meet demands of all social segments," Erdogan told in his televised address to nation on Saturday.
Expressing commitment to his government's targets for 2023, the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, Erdogan said Turkey's transformation would continue.
"Accordingly, I believe that our most important task is to write a democratic and liberating constitution which would meet today's needs," Erdogan said.
He said June 12 elections was an opportunity to prepare a new constitution which he said would be in line with people's demand for transformation and democratic expectations.
"This constitution will be free of democratic shames of the past, not exclusive but inclusive, not alienating but embracing, not discriminating but integrating, and not oppressive but liberating," he said.
Erdogan called on Turkey's politicians, academics, social scientists, legal experts, non-governmental organizations and the media to contribute to country's new constitution.
On terrorism, Erdogan said Turkey had made significant headway to become a happier and more prosperous country, adding, "Turkey achieved it thanks to stability and trust, democratic reforms and furthering brotherhood. We will continue to walk on this path and help our country grow by cementing our brotherhood. Turkey is leaving behind its troubles and overcoming its chronic problems. Some powers, who are jealous of Turkey's growth and its development, have made moves to stop it. I would like to make it clear that terrorism targets Turkey's growth, progress, development, prosperity and most importantly its brotherhood."
Erdogan said Turkish government had displayed a resolute fight against terrorism since the beginning and was decisive to continue to combat terrorism without any concessions from the balance of security and freedom.
Regarding economy, Erdogan said Turkish statistics authority TurkStat's data revealed that Turkish economy had grown by 11 percent in the first quarter of 2011, becoming the fastest growing economy in the world.
Reiterating Turkey's goal to become one of the world's top 10 economies by the year 2023, Erdogan said the government had made all its plans to achieve such goal.
"We are planning to increase our exports to 200 billion USD by 2015 and to 500 billion USD by 2023," he said.
Erdogan also said that Turkey aimed at becoming one of the top 5 countries in the world in terms of agricultural economic magnitude as of 2023, by increasing its agricultural national income to 150 billion USD and its agricultural exports to 40 billion USD until such date.
Commenting on transportation projects as well, Erdogan said Turkey's high-speed train network would reach 3,500 km by 2015, as the country aimed at carrying 350 million passengers per year with a giant fleet of 750 planes by the year 2023.
The prime minister noted that Turkey would carry on with its transformation process in the upcoming term.
He also said nobody should give credit to bizarre assessments regarding Turkish economy.
"Turkey stands on its feet firmly and it has taken all the necessary precautions against the negative wave in Europe," he said.
Touching on Cyprus issue, Erdogan said that Turkey had always stood and would continue to stand by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, moreover, it would keep implementing major projects that would help the country improve economically.
Regarding the ongoing negotiation process in the island, the premier said a settlement in Cyprus would be for the benefit of both the Cypriot communities and the whole region.
"Turkey will neither allow efforts targeting TRNC, nor will it negotiate with the European Union or any other party on Cyprus issue," Erdogan stated.
"Turkey cannot proceed on its way with a constitution written under extraordinary conditions when Turkish democracy was suspended. The outcome of June 12 elections proved that the new constitution should be drafted with the largest participation possible and it should be a text of consensus which would meet demands of all social segments," Erdogan told in his televised address to nation on Saturday.
Expressing commitment to his government's targets for 2023, the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, Erdogan said Turkey's transformation would continue.
"Accordingly, I believe that our most important task is to write a democratic and liberating constitution which would meet today's needs," Erdogan said.
He said June 12 elections was an opportunity to prepare a new constitution which he said would be in line with people's demand for transformation and democratic expectations.
"This constitution will be free of democratic shames of the past, not exclusive but inclusive, not alienating but embracing, not discriminating but integrating, and not oppressive but liberating," he said.
Erdogan called on Turkey's politicians, academics, social scientists, legal experts, non-governmental organizations and the media to contribute to country's new constitution.
On terrorism, Erdogan said Turkey had made significant headway to become a happier and more prosperous country, adding, "Turkey achieved it thanks to stability and trust, democratic reforms and furthering brotherhood. We will continue to walk on this path and help our country grow by cementing our brotherhood. Turkey is leaving behind its troubles and overcoming its chronic problems. Some powers, who are jealous of Turkey's growth and its development, have made moves to stop it. I would like to make it clear that terrorism targets Turkey's growth, progress, development, prosperity and most importantly its brotherhood."
Erdogan said Turkish government had displayed a resolute fight against terrorism since the beginning and was decisive to continue to combat terrorism without any concessions from the balance of security and freedom.
Regarding economy, Erdogan said Turkish statistics authority TurkStat's data revealed that Turkish economy had grown by 11 percent in the first quarter of 2011, becoming the fastest growing economy in the world.
Reiterating Turkey's goal to become one of the world's top 10 economies by the year 2023, Erdogan said the government had made all its plans to achieve such goal.
"We are planning to increase our exports to 200 billion USD by 2015 and to 500 billion USD by 2023," he said.
Erdogan also said that Turkey aimed at becoming one of the top 5 countries in the world in terms of agricultural economic magnitude as of 2023, by increasing its agricultural national income to 150 billion USD and its agricultural exports to 40 billion USD until such date.
Commenting on transportation projects as well, Erdogan said Turkey's high-speed train network would reach 3,500 km by 2015, as the country aimed at carrying 350 million passengers per year with a giant fleet of 750 planes by the year 2023.
The prime minister noted that Turkey would carry on with its transformation process in the upcoming term.
He also said nobody should give credit to bizarre assessments regarding Turkish economy.
"Turkey stands on its feet firmly and it has taken all the necessary precautions against the negative wave in Europe," he said.
Touching on Cyprus issue, Erdogan said that Turkey had always stood and would continue to stand by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, moreover, it would keep implementing major projects that would help the country improve economically.
Regarding the ongoing negotiation process in the island, the premier said a settlement in Cyprus would be for the benefit of both the Cypriot communities and the whole region.
"Turkey will neither allow efforts targeting TRNC, nor will it negotiate with the European Union or any other party on Cyprus issue," Erdogan stated.
