President Calls For Participatory Democracy, Hints At Return To Politics

Addressing the Turkish Parliament during the opening ceremony of the new legislative year on Tuesday, President Abdullah Gül welcomed the reform package unveiled by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government on Monday as he pushed for more extensive steps for a broader democracy and hinted at a return to politics.



"I welcome the new steps announced by the prime minister yesterday, which will, in my opinion, solve important issues in our country," the president said in reference to the long-awaited democratization package.



Calling the "deep-rooted" reforms that Turkey undertook in recent years "a silent revolution," President Gül said they have been implemented with the goal of raising the democratic standards of the country. However, not satisfied with the degree of development in Turkish democracy, Gül pointed out that at every opportunity he "defended the realization of democratic reforms in a way that broadens participatory and pluralistic democracy and extends freedoms."



During his concluding remarks, he made a veiled suggestion that he would resume his political career. He indicated that after doing his best to serve the nation in the last six years as president, he would continue to be in the service of the nation.



(ARABASLIK) 'I have always had faith in virtue of ballot box'



Making his last address to Parliament at the start of the legislative year before his term in office ends in August 2014, Gül put great emphasis on the importance of the ballot box.



"I have always had faith in the outcome of elections and in the virtue and dignity of the ballot box," the president said to the deputies in Parliament, reminding all that he had served as a long-time member of the same Parliament. While describing the ballot box as the "most significant element of our 200-year-old constitutional tradition and democracy," Gül did not neglect to add that he was also mindful of the fact that democracy is a system of checks and balances -- calling to mind his remarks in the wake of the Gezi Park protests in June that "democracy is not only about the ballot box."



According to Gül, the "most meaningful contribution" that the country can make to those in the region who are inspired by Turkey is "to keep Turkish democracy sound and strong."



Warning society against the danger of polarization, which can harm social cohesion, Gül urged everyone not to view every issue in black and white terms.



Reiterating his previous comments on the Gezi Park protests, the president denounced the violence of extremist groups but said that he viewed the peaceful demonstrations as a "new manifestation of our democratic maturity."



"Through violence, no democratic messages and demands can be manifested or heeded," the president said.



(ARABASLIK) Emphasis on broadest exercise of democratic rights



Calling on Turkey to leave the Gezi Park events behind and to look ahead -- using the protests as an experience to "strengthen the participatory and pluralistic qualities of our democracy" -- Gül appealed to the state to allow for the broadest exercise of democratic rights and freedoms. According to the president, "Ensuring the prevalence of the highest democratic standards" should be a primary goal for Turkey.



(ARABASLIK) Settlement cannot be bargaining process



As far as the Kurdish issue is concerned, Gül said he had either led or supported all the reforms to solve this problem. He noted that meeting the demands of the people for rights and justice is the "most honorable duty of our state and government."



Although Gül mentioned the excitement the people of Anatolia felt for the settlement process with the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), he made sure to indicate that "this for sure cannot be a bargaining process." For him, the solution of this problem is in raising democratic standards.



(ARABASLIK) Syria number one foreign policy issue



Dedicating quite a large part of his speech to the turmoil in the Middle East, President Gül said that "the civil war taking place in neighboring Syria is, doubtlessly, our country's most serious foreign policy issue at this time."



Directing attention to the "ideological competition and proxy wars" in Syria in the face of globally growing radicalism and extremism, Gül urged Turkey to make maintaining its position as a "soft and virtuous power" a fundamental priority to protect its achievements so far.



Stating that the lives of the Syrian people should not be sacrificed to balance of power politics, Gül described the attitude of the international community as "disheartening" in the face of calamities, not only in Syria, but in the whole region.



According to Gül, Turkey would be pleased to see the destruction of the whole chemical arsenal in Syria in a verifiable manner and in the shortest time possible. For him, Turkey's "ultimate goal should be building a new Syria that is at peace with its own people and its neighbors while keeping its territorial integrity and political unity intact."



In a similar manner, Gül called on Egypt to return to democracy, release its political prisoners and include all political movements in free and fair elections.



On Iran, Gül referred to his recent talk with Iranian counterpart Hassan Rohani and said they reached a mutual understanding to cooperate, particularly in the Syrian crisis.



After providing a framework of Turkey's relations in the Middle East, President Gül underlined Turkey's strategic orientation with the West. "[We are a nation] that keeps a strong foothold in the EU," the president announced.



(ARABASLIK) Open-ended talks do not work in Cyprus



As far as the Cyprus issue is concerned, Gül said this problem must be resolved and that Turkey supports all diplomatic efforts for a fair and lasting peace on the island. However, he added that experience has shown that open-ended talks do not produce any results.



An economist by training, President Gül talked about the economic outlook in Turkey and cited the low savings rate as one of the most important obstacles that may prevent sustainable growth in Turkey, warning the country against a "middle-income trap."



(ARABASLIK) First lady attends opening of Parliament for first time



The president's opening address witnessed a first yesterday. The first lady, Hayrünnisa Gül, arrived at Parliament along with President Gül to listen to his speech in person.



(ARABASLIK) Speaker disappointed with new constitution goal



Addressing Parliament prior to the president, Parliament Speaker Cemil Çiçek expressed disappointment with the Parliamentary Reconciliation Commission's work on the new draft constitution, saying that they are still far from the desired goal. (Cihan/Today's Zaman)