AK Party Deputy Chairman of External Affairs Suat KINIKLIOGLU was invited to the TV show “Erkan Tan’la Başkent’ten”. At the program which was broadcasted from the Ankara studios of TV8, KINIKLIOGLU discussed topics as the relations between Turkey and the EU, the Cyprus problem and answered Erkan Tan’s questions on current issues.

In terms of the relations with the EU, KINIKLIOGLU said that Turkey was already inside the European field with its cultural, social and economic activities which merely needed to be established politically. Underlining his government’s determination to advance in the membership talks KINIKLIOGLU further explained: “As we expressed it in our National Agenda and in accordance with the wishes of the majority of our people we continue to express our will. Our recently appointed Minister of State and Chief Negotiator Egemen BAGIS takes all the steps necessary in order to accelerate and intensify the membership talks. Today in parliament it will be voted on the bill with which we aim to increase the strength and competences of the ABGS (Secretariat General for EU Affairs)”

He furthermore emphasised the economic relations between the EU and Turkey by pointing out that 60% of Turkish exports went to the EU, this making the EU Turkey’s biggest trade partner. KINIKLIOGLU also said: “The percentage of EU countries in terms of foreign direct investment in Turkey account for 74% of the total. The underlying reason for the opening of new factories and the creation of jobs is Turkey’s relationship with the EU. “

In response to a Cyprus related question KINIKLIOGLU said: “Turkey, by approving the Annan Plan did its duty. The Greek Administration said no to this plan and we expect them to take the necessary steps. At the moment we have a UN lead process which is not open to the media. In the course of this process we will see whether both sides have the will or not. As we told the US President Obama and Hillary Clinton when they visited Turkey, the Greek Administration needs some pressure upon them so that they approve the plans. This pressure cannot be put by the European Union because of the anxiety that the Greek might veto different processes within the EU. But it will not be costly for the Americans to put this pressure. And we said to our colleagues that if we want to have improving Turkish-American relations the Americans should make clear to the Greek Administration how important this process is and that the separation on the island will be manifested irrevocably and that Turkey will not be available one more time for any reunification negotiations if this process fails. Some unofficial initiatives of the Greek show that this message has been received. “

Concerning the documents published by the daily Taraf, KINIKLIOGLU said: “The fact that the public opinion, the media, political parties and our citizens express their opinion freely shows that a certain democratic culture is established in Turkey. In the past the voices in favour of democratisation have always been in the minority but now we see the opposite. There is societal agreement on the dominance of a civil government, democracy and that the armed forces should not advocate an attitude of overthrowing the government. This dimension of the issue I find contenting. “

KINIKLIOGLU, by evaluating the recent developments in Iran after the elections, added: “We cannot be as criticising as the French, Germans or the Americans as we know the structures of our neighbour Iran better. One of the common values in the world is democracy. People want democracy, freedom and transparency. As a result of globalisation domestic issues are of course not only of interest for the people of the country in question. The irregularities during the Iranian elections of course have caused reactions from all over the world.”

While pointing out that Turkey was the most dynamic, democratic and transparent country in the region KINIKLIOGLU added: “Iranian people visiting Turkey find a country with a mainly Muslim population and a secular and democratic system. They want to enjoy many rights, too and thus protest against the regime in their country and undemocratic elections.”